Maria Guardiola, daughter of Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, has spoken about the lessons on love she's received from her parents amidst their separation.
In a recent interview with a Vanity Fair Spain, coinciding with the news of her father's split from his wife Cristina Serra after 30 years, Maria said: "My parents have always advised me to find what I am passionate about."
She added: "They encourage me to try new things, to accept failure and to keep searching until I find my calling, because when I do, full dedication will come naturally. They also remind me that the most important thing in life is to love and be loved.
"In the end it all comes down to feeling loved. Even in situations where we feel out of place, they tell me to listen carefully to others, there is always something valuable to learn from each person we meet."
While Pep Guardiola and his wife have not publicly commented on their split, a close friend reportedly described the Manchester City manager as a "total workaholic," which may have contributed to the end of their marriage.
Maria, the eldest of the three siblings, spoke about her dad's commitment to his career in a magazine interview, stating: "My father was already playing when I was born. All our movements have focused on his career, first as a player and then as a coach.", reports the Mirror.
She acknowledged that football has played a significant role in shaping their family's journey, saying: "Soccer has shaped much of our family's journey. In many ways, my family and I owe our lives and opportunities to this sport and, of course, to my father's exceptional talent and passion."
Maria also admitted to inheriting her dad's determination, saying: "When we set our minds to something, we pursue it with tunnel vision until we achieve it."
In the interview, which appears to have taken place after her parents' separation, Maria showed admiration for her mum, crediting her with instilling confidence and independence in her. She also praised her mum's sense of style, saying: "She is very elegant and even influenced my father's way of dressing."
Maria's interest in fashion was sparked by her mum's passion for work, and she expressed her desire to launch her own brand, citing her mum as a reference and talented individual.
The Barcelona-born 24-year-old, who has captivated her 930,000 Instagram followers with glimpses into her glamorous life and whose childhood saw her living in Rome, Brescia, Qatar, Mexico, New York, Munich, and Manchester, expressed her gratitude: "I feel incredibly grateful for the experiences I have had. Although it was challenging at times, my parents facilitated the transitions and helped me take advantage of opportunities."
She also reflected on her father's sabbatical from coaching to spend time in New York after leaving Barcelona in 2012: "For me Barcelona means family and football, incredible memories, pure happiness. The decision to leave was due to the desire to spend more time with family.
"Given the frenetic pace of my parents' careers, we didn't get to see each other much. So we went to New York for a year to be together and learn English. It was an unforgettable experience."
Meanwhile, Spanish journalist Lorena Vazquez, who reported on Pep and Cristina's separation, confirmed that the split was amicable: "It's been a carefully-considered decision the couple discussed over several months. They continue to have a cordial and affectionate relationship. No-one else is involved. There are no third parties. We are going to carry on seeing them together."
After announcing the unexpected separation, she added: "They weren't expecting any journalists or media outlets would confirm this break-up but I can assure you they're living apart and only a small handful of people knew about this."
Pep Guardiola has until now, always stayed at his family's lavish £8.5 million Barcelona mansion whenever he returns to the Catalan capital from Manchester. However, it is unclear where he will reside in the future when visiting the city.
His wife Cristina is expected to remain at the luxury property, previously owned by former Mexican defender Rafa Marquez. In February 2021, Guardiola purchased the four-storey estate, situated in Barcelona's upscale neighbourhood, through a company he runs with his wife, for €10m (£8.4m).
The expansive property boasts a large swimming pool and occupies a plot of over 22,000 square feet, with the house itself spanning an impressive 8,000 square feet. When news of the purchase broke in June 2021, Catalan media speculated it could signal Guardiola's potential return to Barcelona following Joan Laporta's presidential election win.
Cristina Serra relocated to the mansion two years after leaving Manchester to return to her hometown. Spanish news outlet El Confidencial described the estate as "the perfect place for a separation without anyone discovering when you leave or enter," although the couple reportedly spent Christmas there together with their three grown-up children.
The report further stated: "It's the €10m mansion that marked the physical distancing of Guardiola and his wife in 2021."
