Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola delivered one of the most forceful public statements of his career in support of Palestinians affected by the ongoing conflict in Gaza, describing the world’s response as a “manifesto for humanity” and rejecting neutrality in the face of suffering.
Guardiola appeared Thursday evening at the Act X Palestine solidarity concert at the Palau Sant Jordi arena in Barcelona, Spain, where he spoke to thousands gathered for a humanitarian event featuring dozens of artists.
Wearing a black-and-white Palestinian keffiyeh, the Catalan coach opened in Arabic with Assalamu alaikum (peace be upon you), before centring his remarks on the suffering of children in Gaza and what he said was global inaction.
“When I see a child … among the rubble and he still doesn’t know it, I think we have left them alone, abandoned.”
“We stand before the world to show that we are on the side of the weak — in this case, Palestine, but not Palestine alone.”
Guardiola urged listeners not to be silent or look away, warning against accepting indifference and calling on people to “get involved and participate.”
In parts of his address shared by international outlets, Guardiola explicitly framed his remarks as support for oppressed people, not just a single political position:
“This is a statement for Palestine, and it is a statement for humanity.”
Organizers billed the concert as a fundraiser and cultural solidarity initiative; Guardiola’s appearance came just after Manchester City’s Champions League match, which he left immediately to attend.
Guardiola has previously addressed the conflict in Gaza on other platforms. In November 2025, ahead of a charity football match between Catalonia and Palestine, he said the world had “abandoned Palestine” and emphasised the symbolic power of sport to raise awareness.
At a University of Manchester honorary degree ceremony in mid-2025, he spoke emotionally about the humanitarian crisis, saying what was happening “hurts my whole body” and focusing on human dignity rather than political labels.
Guardiola’s remarks have not been without backlash. According to one UK outlet, some local community groups have accused him of endangering Jewish communities by voicing pro-Palestinian sentiments without commensurate expressions of support for Jewish victims of violence. Those critics argue his comments could stoke tension in diverse cities like Manchester.
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