Pep Guardiola has named six footballers as the greatest of all time. Renowned as one of football’s most accomplished managers, Guardiola has had remarkable tenures at top clubs such as Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City. At 53, he led Manchester City to a historic fourth consecutive Premier League title in the 23/24 season, surpassing Arsenal.
Throughout his distinguished career, Guardiola has coached some of the best talents in football, including Lionel Messi, Kevin De Bruyne, Thierry Henry, and Erling Haaland. In tribute to the late Brazilian icon Pele, Guardiola identified six players he believes are the greatest in the sport’s history. He stated, “I never claimed to be Pele, to be honest. I never watched him play, but I’ve spoken to many who considered him the best.”
Pep Guardiola expressed his admiration for the enduring influence of football legends, likening their impact to that of a timeless film or book. He acknowledged that, although he wasn’t alive during Pele’s era, he appreciates Pele’s significance through the lasting legacy he left. Guardiola emphasized that players like Pele, Diego Maradona, Johan Cruyff, Lionel Messi, Franz Beckenbauer, and Cristiano Ronaldo will always be remembered for their contributions to football.
He highlighted the profound impact these players have on the sport and the emotions they evoke, especially during events like the World Cup, which can unite and inspire an entire nation. Guardiola’s comments resonate with many who consider Messi the greatest, particularly after leading Argentina to victory in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.