Pep Guardiola's eldest daughter has broken her silence following the Manchester City manager's shocking breakup with his wife Cristina Serra.
In her first interview, model and influencer Maria Guardiola spoke fondly of her parents, joking that she had inherited her father's “stubbornness” while her “confidence and sense of independence” came from her mother.
The 24-year-old's mother and father, who were together for three decades and married in 2014, have yet to comment on the split after it was revealed on Monday night.
Maria, who has two younger siblings, Marius, 22, and Valentina, 17, grew up moving from city to city: she was born in Barcelona before moving to Rome, New York, Munich, Manchester and now London.
“Following my father around the world to watch games gave me special memories and brought the family together,” she explained to Vanity Fair.
“I feel incredibly grateful for the experiences I've had,” she added. “Although it was challenging at times, my parents made transitions easier and helped my siblings and me take advantage of opportunities.”
María Guardiola has given her first interview after the news of her parents' imminent separation
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is believed to have split from his wife of 30 years, Cristina Serra (pictured in 2023)
The Catalan couple met as teenagers while the coach was playing for Barcelona
Maria did not comment on her parents' separation and no reason has been given for the divorce, however on Tuesday a friend of Pep's told MailOnline that his “workaholic” tendencies were to blame.
“I think the couple have grown apart. He left Manchester about three years ago to return to Barcelona. That has taken its toll,” said the source, who asked not to be identified.
“He's a total workaholic and not being involved in the family fashion business together may have affected their relationship as well.”
In fact, in 2016, the Manchester City manager admitted that he sometimes stayed in his “own world” thinking about his team's tactical decision for the next match.
'My family knows I'm there but I'm not there. “Sometimes I'm home but not at home,” he told the Times in 2016. “They call me 'Pep, Pep' but they know I'm in my own world.”
Even when he played for FC Barcelona, his teammates called him 'Perfecto' due to his obsession with the game and his disapproval of his teammates who put their social life first.
A few years ago his friend Manel Estiarte said: 'You invite him to eat at a restaurant, but after 32 minutes you see that his mind is already wandering.
'He starts looking at the ceiling and, although he nods as if he is listening to you, he is not looking at you. In reality, he's probably thinking about the opposition's left back, the midfielder's marking scheme, how much the wingers can support the inside forwards.'
As a result of her father's career, María has grown up deeply immersed in soccer.
Guardiola and Serra share three children: María, 24, Marius, 22, and Valentina, 15 (right)
The Barcelona influencer frequently shows her lifestyle while traveling the world
It is unclear when her daughter Maria conducted the interview with Vanity Fair, however it is believed to have taken place after her parents decided to separate.
Reflecting on how his father's career had influenced the family's life, he added: “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.
'Football has shaped much of our family's path. 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.'
And while Pep's career continued to flourish, winning a record four consecutive Premier League titles and a historic Champions League victory, Cristina decided to continue her family's business in Spain.
Cristina and the couple's youngest son returned to Barcelona in 2019 so the Brazilian journalist-turned-fashion designer could help continue her Serra-Claret family boutique.
The boutique line, which features several expensive designer brands, was first opened in 1933.
In more recent times, several celebrities have visited the stores, including Colombian singer Shakira and former Spanish soccer professional Andrés Iniesta.
Cristina and her sister Judith currently run the original store in Manresa, a city north of Barcelona, and a newer boutique in the center of Barcelona.
The 24-year-old lives in London and has more than 930,000 followers on Instagram.
In the interview with Vanity Fair Spain, María pointed out that the 'frantic pace' of her parents' lives meant that they did not see each other often.
Since returning five years ago, Cristina has lived in a villa in Pedralbes, an exclusive neighborhood in the hills surrounding Barcelona.
The property, which the couple bought in 2021 for £8.55 million, sits within an enclave of three villas where neighboring properties previously sold for around £20 million.
The villa, previously owned by Rafa Márquez, spans 8,000 square feet, while the larger plot covers 22,000 square feet and offers panoramic views of the city.
It has a large swimming pool, gym, wine cellar, cinema and is surrounded by gardens to guarantee privacy.
It is here that Cristina and Valentina have been living for the past four years, while Pep continues to live in his £2.7million bachelor pad in Salford.
Spanish outlet El Confidencial described the mansion on Tuesday as “the perfect place for a separation without anyone noticing when you leave or enter.”
For years, the couple's long-distance relationship seemed to be working, with the two traveling back and forth to see each other. Cristina and Pep were often photographed enjoying an evening out in Manchester.
But the distance seems to have taken its toll.
Spanish media have highlighted that the couple's separation has no relationship with third parties
Before Cristina returned to Spain in 2018, in a rare interview, Pep spoke about the loneliness of being a football coach and explained that he depended on the support of his family to get ahead.
'Only at home do I feel safe. I mean security in terms of not being observed. “I close the door and I feel safe,” he told the BBC.
'My job is demanding. Cristina is an incredible woman, not just an incredible mother.
'If we were talking about moving to New York, Munich and here, if she decides not to come, I won't come. I won't be here, I can't be alone in this kind of work without my family.'
However, a year later, the family was living in separate cities across the continent.
Cristina would also openly criticize Pep if she thought he made a mistake in a lineup or a tactical decision.
While managing Bayern Munich, he said at a press conference, smiling: “My wife is more complicated than Robben. Cristina sometimes complains about my tactical decisions.
'He tells me to repeat the 11 with which I won the last game. Explaining my rotation system to him is more difficult than telling Robben: “Today you are a substitute.”
And just a year ago he attributed his fashion sense to Cristina: 'My wife is the best in the world at many things, especially fashion.
'She usually tells me, don't use this or that, so I follow her. I'm smart enough to know when people are much better than me and follow their advice.'
The couple is said to have decided to separate in December and their children were already aware of the decision before the news broke.
The family are said to have spent Christmas together at the Pedralbes mansion before Pep returned to the UK.
The Spanish journalist who broke the news of Pep and Cristina's marital breakdown insisted on Tuesday morning that there was no “third person”
Lorena Vázquez said: 'It has been a carefully considered decision that the couple discussed for several months.
'They continue to have a cordial and affectionate relationship.
'There is no one else involved. There are no third parties. “We are going to continue seeing them together.”