Guardiola: I'd have played for Catalan team instead of Spain

Pep Guardiola says that he would have chosen to play for the Catalan national team had it existed when he was playing.

The Bayern Munich boss won 47 caps for Spain during his playing career, winning Olympic gold with La Roja.

The Catalan side exists now, but as it is not recognised by Fifa, players are free to feature for it and Spain simultaneously.

The independence campaign is growing in Catalunya and Guardiola admits he would have foregone the chance to play for Spain if the state had its own team.

"If there'd been a Catalan state, I would have played for the Catalan national team because I'm from Santpedor,” he is quoted as saying by Marca.

Guardiola, though, insists that he was “very happy with Spain”, saying that he gave his all for the cause.

The issue of support for Catalonia has been in the news this week, with Gerard Pique – who has publicly supported independence – subjected to a number of jeers from the crowd during Spain’s 2-0 win over Slovakia.

Guardiola, though, says that he has no qualms about airing his views.

"If someone is bothered by my participation in the process, it is their problem,” he added.