Ilkay Gundogan has finally lifted the lid on his surprise Barcelona departure in the summer of 2024, marking the end of a brief but impactful spell in Catalonia.
After a standout 2023-24 campaign in which he was a mainstay in Xavi's midfield, the German international opted for a return to Manchester City , a move that raised eyebrows across Europe.
In a heartfelt reflection, Gundogan explained his reasoning with remarkable honesty. "I always dreamed of playing for Barça, and I've fulfilled it,"he said, as quoted by SPORT .
"I had a conversation with Xavi in April 2024 about my future. We had a good relationship, and we played well. But in the end, only Real Madrid were too strong."
Despite being one of Xavi's most trusted players throughout the season, Gundogan felt a shift in the club's intentions. "Originally, they signed me to bring experience and leadership to the squad,"he noted.
"In the end, I thought it was better to leave. Even at the club, I perceived that despite what I considered a very decent season, they were in favour, mainly for economic reasons.
"And I'm one of those who are not going to stay for the contract to cause problems for anyone."
Ilkay Gundogan left Barcelona after just one season. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
The arrival of Hansi Flick appeared to offer hope of a renewed chapter, but that too did not materialise.
"Hansi and I have always had a strong relationship. I came back from holiday feeling motivated to work with him again. He expected an intense exchange. But it wasn't like that,"Gundogan admitted.
"The club had other plans. Not much came to fruition. Hansi, for example, contacted me on my birthday. I was very happy. I sincerely congratulate him and the club on their current success."
Ultimately, it was a casual comment from his wife, Sara, that set the wheels of his return in motion. "She half-joked and said, 'Call Pep !' So I did the next day. And Pep just said, 'I'd love to.'"The rest, as Gundogan puts it, happened quickly.
With the deal wrapped up in no time, Gundogan has since settled back into life in Manchester.
"That's the whole story. And now everything is fine as it is. I feel incredibly comfortable here in Manchester, and I am confident that sooner or later we will return to the level of the top teams,"he concluded.
