Barcelona icon and current Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has lavished praise on bitter rivals Real Madrid for their Champions League success.
Los Blancos made it three European wins in a row – and a record-extending 13th overall – with Saturday’s 3-1 triumph against Liverpool in Kiev.
“It’s spectacular, you have to take your hat off to them,” Guardiola told Marca during the traditional annual festival of the Johan Cruyff Foundation, which was held on Wednesday.
“It doesn’t matter if they deserve it or not, because it’s very difficult to do what he they’ve done.
“They’ve demonstrated their quality, and we hope to prevent them from taking the fourth consecutive one. Zidane has done a spectacular job.”
Guardiola was a boyhood Barca player, going on to make 366 appearances for them as an accomplished defensive midfielder from 1990-2001.
The current side stormed to the 2017/18 La Liga trophy, but came up short in the Champions League. A similar tale to Guardiola’s City in the Premier League.
“Barcelona have also had a great season,” he continued.
“If they keep playing how we know they can, and have all the weapons at their disposal, football doesn’t end with two, three or four people such as Xavi and [Andres] Iniesta.
“They will remain the best club in the world, and I don’t think they will lose their DNA.”
Guardiola also had a sharp response when asked whether Real Madrid playmaker Isco will make a summer move to Etihad Stadium.
“No,” he replied.