Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol has revealed he nearly abandoned football entirely during his teenage years. The Croatian international, now among the world’s most expensive defenders after his £77 million move from RB Leipzig in 2023, shared this revelation with BBC Sport.
Gvardiol disclosed he contemplated quitting while struggling for playing time at Dinamo Zagreb’s academy aged 16. “I wasn’t sure about football anymore,” the 23-year-old admitted. “When you get to training and feel unhappy, you look for solutions. All my friends played basketball.”
“I was thinking about quitting because I like basketball too. I just wanted to feel happier than before.”
Despite nearly walking away, Gvardiol eventually broke into Dinamo’s first team. He won consecutive league titles and completed a domestic double before joining RB Leipzig in 2021 for a then-record £16 million fee for a Croatian teenager.
His impressive 87-game Bundesliga stint attracted elite European clubs. The £77 million transfer to Manchester City made him football’s second-most expensive defender, trailing only Harry Maguire’s move to Manchester United.
“Five years ago, if you’d asked about joining City, I’d say impossible,” Gvardiol reflected. “My dream was professional football, but I never imagined reaching this level.”
Now crucial to Pep Guardiola’s system, Gvardiol played 55 matches last season. His defensive intelligence and physicality have earned manager praise. Guardiola noted: “He was vital last season – physically outstanding, adaptable, and constantly improving.”
The defender’s commitment remains unwavering despite challenges: “No matter how I felt last season, fit or not, I just wanted to play and help the team.”
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