Man City manager backs Gaza amputee football team with signed Palestinian jerseys
Spanish coach 'Pep' Guardiola sends symbolic message to Gaza’s al-Irada FC, highlighting resilience and solidarity through sports
ISTANBUL
English Premier League club Manchester City's manager Josep "Pep" Guardiola Sala signed Palestinian national team jerseys on Thursday in a show of support for an amputee football team in Gaza, the Gaza team announced.
The Gaza al-Irada FC (Gaza of Will) amputee football team announced the gesture in a post on US social media platform Instagram, calling the moment a symbolic link between local athletes and the global football community.
“From the heart of Gaza to the top of the football world. Our heroes in the Gaza Will Team (Amputation Football) received a special message and a signature from the ‘philosopher’ Pep Guardiola,” the team said.
The players expressed gratitude to Guardiola, a Spanish-born former player, for his support, emphasizing the deeper meaning behind the signed jerseys.
“This shirt is not just a piece of cloth, but a medal of pride held by every player who challenged injury and ran after his dream. Thank you Guardiola for seeing in us what we see in ourselves: heroes who don't know the impossible,” the statement added.
Images shared by the team showed amputee players posing with a photo of Guardiola holding a Palestinian keffiyeh.
The team previously posted footage of its members playing football amid the ruins in Gaza, highlighting their determination to continue training despite difficult conditions.
*Writing by Gizem Nisa Demir
