“I don’t want to face Barcelona” — Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola may be chasing another Champions League trophy with Manchester City, but there’s one club he hopes to avoid—and it’s not Real Madrid.

Despite City’s dominance in Europe, Guardiola revealed on Italian TV that he’s desperate to dodge a showdown with Barcelona, the club that shaped his legendary career.

In a candid moment, Guardiola confessed that his deep affection for the Catalan giants makes it “never easy” to play against them. The emotional pull runs deep for Pep, who not only grew up near Barcelona but also achieved historic success with the club as both a player and a manager.

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As City face tough clashes against the likes of PSG and Juventus, Guardiola’s heartstrings tug at the thought of a potential reunion with his beloved Barça. For the tactician, it’s more than just football—it’s personal.

Meanwhile, Pep couldn’t help but reminisce about his time managing Lionel Messi, praising the Argentinian as the best player of all time, even comparing Messi’s brilliance to icons like Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods.

But will fate pit Guardiola against the club that means so much to him? Football fans may have to wait for a potentially emotional clash in Europe’s elite competition.