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4th February 2026
09:54am GMT
Pep Guardiola insists he felt he had to speak out against humanitarian issues after making a speech in support of Palestinian children last week.
The Manchester City was not present for his media duties in the build-up to his side's 2-2 draw with Tottenham at the weekend, after speaking at a charity event in Barcelona.
Guardiola, who has spoken about humanitarian issues previously, said on Tuesday: Never, ever in the history of humanity have we had the info in front of our eyes, watching more clearly than now – genocide in Palestine, what happened in Ukraine, what happened in Russia, what happened all around the world, in Sudan, everywhere.
"What happened in front of us? Do you want to see it? It’s our problems as human beings. There is somebody who sees the images from all around the world who is not affected?
"Today we can see it. Before we could not see it. Today we see. It hurts me.
"If it was the opposite side, it would hurt me. Wanting harm for another country? It hurts me. (To) completely kill thousands of innocent people, it hurts me. It’s no more complicated than that. No more.
"When you have an idea and you need to defend (it) and you have to kill thousands, thousands of people – I’m sorry, I will stand up. Always I will be there, always."
Guardiola was also critical of US President Donald Trump, questioning how recent violence by ICE officers could be justified.
Referencing the recent deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretty, both killed during ICE operations, he said: “Look what happened in the United States of America, Renee Good and [intensive care nurse] Alex Pretti have been killed."
He added: “Imagine the NHS, five, six people around him, go on the grass and 10 shots. Tell me how you can defend that?”
On wider humanitarian issues, the 55-year-old added: "The people who have to do that, run away from their countries, go in the sea and then go on a boat to get rescued. Don’t ask if he is right or wrong, rescue him. It is about a human being.
"After we can agree (or) criticise but (if) people (are) dying, you have to help. Protecting the human being and human life is the only thing we have, not just in these parts of the world but every part of the world.
"What is happening right now, with the technologies and advances that we have, the humanity is better than ever in terms of possibilities. We can reach the moon, we can do everything.
"But still right now, we kill each other. For what? When I see the images, I am sorry, it hurts. It hurts me, that is why in every position I can help (by) speaking up to be a better society, I will try and will be there. All the time.
"From my point of view, the justice? You have to talk. Otherwise it will just move on.
"Look what happened in the United States of America. There is not a perfect society, nowhere is perfect. I am not perfect, we have to work to be better."
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