Ilkay Gundogan is officially leaving Manchester City to join Barcelona.
The midfielder has brought his seven-season spell to an end, and will join the Catalan giants when his contract expires in a few days.
Gundogan has decided he wants a new challenge.
For him, if he was going to leave City, it was Barca or nothing.
After some persuasion by Robert Lewandowski, the Spanish giants are now delighted to have landed the 32-year-old, saying on their website that ‘he is one of the world’s best midfielders of the last decade or so’.
Gundogan’s exit is hitting hard for many City fans.
He has been such a good player and servant for the club since his arrival as Pep Guardiola’s first signing.
And he has now reflected on his time at the Etihad.
Ilkay Gundogan reveals brilliant nickname Ruben Dias had for him in Manchester City training
Gundogan has given an interview with The Player’s Tribune.
In it, he reflects on his time with the club and also mentions a few of his teammates, like Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish and Stefan Ortega.
Gundogan also talks about the affectionate nickname Ruben Dias bestowed on him.
The star’s skill in training drills was never lost on the Portugal defender. Gundogan said: “We’d be playing 5-v-2 in the box in training, and my favourite thing was to joke around with Rúben Dias. I guess because I am usually such a simple player, the guys thought it was really funny to call me ‘Zidane’ when I showed a bit of technique.
“Whenever I had a good session, Rúben would go around calling me ‘Zidane’.
“And I’d say, ‘No, no, today I was Pirlo. Tomorrow, I’ll be back to Zizou’.”
Ruben Dias’ nickname for Ilkay Gundogan is very appropriate
This is a brilliant revelation from Gundogan.
Dias calling Gundogan ‘Zidane’ really shows the high regard in which he holds the midfielder.
Gundogan wasn’t constantly flashy and skilful. But he definitely had an arsenal of tricks he could go to as and when required.
He was certainly one of the most technical players in the squad.
His exit could hit hard. Hopefully, Mateo Kovacic, and Declan Rice if he comes in, will helped to soften the blow.
