• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Ilkay Gundogan makes shock announcement amid reports of Man City return

Home> Football> Football News> Man City

Updated 17:39 19 Aug 2024 GMT+1Published 17:34 19 Aug 2024 GMT+1

Ilkay Gundogan makes shock announcement amid reports of Man City return

The midfielder has finally broken his silence.

Ben McCrum

Ben McCrum

Ilkay Gundogan has made a shock announcement on social media amid reports of a return to former club Manchester City.

Reports today have suggested that Gundogan could be set to return to Manchester City just over 12 months after leaving the Premier League club as a free agent and joining Barcelona last summer .

The German spent seven years with City, making 188 appearances in all competitions and scoring 44 goals.

Advert

And now the midfielder has finally broken his silence, making a shocking announcement on social media.

In a statement on X, the midfielder wrote: "Dear football Germany,

"After a few weeks of consideration, I have come to the conclusion that it is time to end my national team career.

Advert

"I look back with great pride on 82 international matches for my home country – a number I could never have dreamed of when I made my debut for the senior national team in 2011.

"My highlight was definitely the huge honour of being able to lead the team as captain at our home European Championships last summer! After all these years, we finally managed to make the nation proud again - I'm very happy that I was able to play a part in that.

"But even before the tournament, I felt a certain tiredness in my body and also in my head, which got me thinking. And the games at club and national level are not getting any less.

"I will definitely continue to be a fan of this national team and I really hope that we can continue the upward trend together - and then there is nothing to stop us from being one of the closest contenders for the title at the 2026 World Cup. We have a fantastic coach, a really strong team and a great team spirit.

Advert

Ilkay Gundogan captained Germany at the 2024 European Championships. (Image: Getty)
Ilkay Gundogan captained Germany at the 2024 European Championships. (Image: Getty)

"Thanks to all the fans, staff, coaches and teammates who have accompanied me on this journey. It was an honor!

"Your Ilkay."

During his 16-year career, Gundogan has made 82 appearances for the German national team, scoring 19 goals.

Advert

Most recently, the midfielder captained his national team during the 2024 European Championships, which took place in Germany this summer.

The hosts were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Spain, who went on to win the tournament.

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: Manchester City, Ilkay Gundogan, Premier League, Barcelona, Germany, Football

Ben McCrum
Ben McCrum

Ben is a sports journalist who specialises in football and MMA. He has written for publications such as Manchester Evening News, WiganToday, Manchester World and beIN Sports. Throughout his career he has interviewed top athletes in MMA including Tom Aspinall and Michael Bisping.

X

@benmcc14

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

5 hours ago
8 hours ago
9 hours ago
  • 5 hours ago

    FIFA has banned five football kits for life that you'll never see again

    Club World Cup finalists Chelsea and PSG have been hit by FIFA’s ban on sleeve advertising rule

    Football
  • 8 hours ago

    Xabi Alonso has found the next Florian Wirtz for Real Madrid without spending anything

    The new Real Madrid boss may have uncovered a gem in the squad who could be the next Florian Wirtz.

    Football
  • 8 hours ago

    Chelsea set their asking price for Nicolas Jackson as shock club register interest and it looks like a typo

    Enzo Maresca has named his price to sell Nicolas Jackson this summer, amid links to a European giant.

    Football
  • 9 hours ago

    Rodrygo has already told Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea which club he wants to play for next season

    The Brazilian star has been linked with a move away from Real Madrid this summer.

    Football
  • Barcelona hit back at Ilkay Gundogan and explain real reason for Man City transfer
  • Ilkay Gundogan sacrificing huge figure to re-join Man City after ripping up lucrative Barcelona contract
  • Ilkay Gundogan makes his feelings clear on Victor Osimhen's shock move to Galatasaray with social media post
  • Pep Guardiola admits he broke unwritten Man City transfer rule to re-sign Ilkay Gundogan from Barcelona