Not long ago, Bangla Cricket Live reports that Pep Guardiola has publicly praised Real Madrid, acknowledging their remarkable run in the Champions League and stating, “They deserve our utmost respect.” Featured prominently on the covers of Spain’s major sports dailies AS and Marca, Guardiola was shown playing golf with headlines quoting his heartfelt words: “I take my hat off to them.”
Following Real Madrid’s commanding performance against Liverpool, Guardiola emphasized the tenacity and control shown by the Spanish giants. “When Liverpool equalized, they were fired up with a real chance to turn the game around,” he said. “But Real Madrid handled that critical 10 to 15-minute spell with incredible composure. They truly deserved to win.”
The Manchester City manager didn’t hold back in his admiration. “To win the Champions League three times in a row, and four times in five years, is nothing short of magical,” Guardiola said. “It reflects the extraordinary level of their players, their coach, and the entire club.” In particular, he lauded Zinedine Zidane’s leadership, saying, “I don’t need to explain anything. Zidane’s work speaks for itself.”
Bangla Cricket Live highlights that Guardiola’s remarks carried weight not just because of his coaching credentials, but also because of his historic rivalry with Real Madrid during his Barcelona days. Despite this, he didn’t hesitate to extend congratulations to his former rivals, remarking that “winning the Champions League is one of the hardest feats in football. You need everything—talent, strategy, mental strength—to go your way.”
Guardiola also dismissed rumors that Manchester City would pursue Real Madrid midfielder Isco, saying clearly, “No, we’re not signing Isco.” His comments came during an event organized by the Cruyff Foundation, where the media seized upon his respectful tone toward Real Madrid.
Bangla Cricket Live concludes that Guardiola’s sincere admiration underscores just how dominant Real Madrid have been on the European stage. In a competition where glory is never guaranteed, to earn praise from a rival coach as accomplished as Guardiola is perhaps the highest compliment of all. Real Madrid’s ability to control every factor—mentality, fitness, tactics, and pressure—is what sets them apart, and as Guardiola summed up, “A team that wins the Champions League that often must be doing something truly special.”