Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Ilkay Gundogan’s contract has been automatically extended, though questions about the midfielder’s long-term future remain.

Gundogan, who initially left City for Barcelona in 2023, made a surprising return to the Etihad just a year later following financial instability at the Catalan club. Upon his comeback, the German international signed a one-year deal which included a clause to extend his stay until the summer of 2026—triggered by the number of appearances he has made this season.

Speaking after City clashes with Crystal Palace, Guardiola praised Gundogan’s resurgence, stating:

“He now has another year on his contract, that’s certain. What happens this summer, I can’t say, but he’s officially with us until 2026. The Gundo we saw today, and against Leicester and Bournemouth, is the same Gundo who led us during our treble-winning campaign—vital, sharp, intelligent.”

Guardiola went on to emphasize the team dynamic affecting individual performance:

“When the team struggles, individuals do too. It’s never just about one player. But when the team finds its rhythm, players like Gundo shine again. He’s been essential to us, but we’ve not always supported him in the right way.”

While Gundogan’s contract extension keeps him at the club on paper, it doesn’t guarantee he’ll remain beyond the current campaign. With Kevin De Bruyne likely to depart and other seasoned players nearing the end of their City tenures, Guardiola might look to lean on Gundogan’s leadership and experience through this transitional phase.

After a rocky restart following his return, Gundogan has found his form again, starting City’s last five matches. As the season nears its climax, he’s expected to be instrumental in City’s push for Champions League qualification and their bid to lift the FA Cup.

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Ilkay Gundogan has explained why he passed up the opportunity to join Arsenal during the summer transfer window.

At the end of the previous campaign, Gundogan joined La Liga champions Barcelona on a free transfer from treble winners Manchester City.

Gundogan was being courted by a number of clubs, including Arsenal, who made him an offer of a two-year contract.

The 32-year-old midfielder has since claimed that he declined offers from other teams since joining Barcelona was his “childhood dream.”

Asked if he would have extended his contract at City if the club had offered him more than a year, Gundogan told BILD: ‘I’m honest. And many people don’t know this: In the end, it wasn’t about a year or two.

‘There was no problem with the running time. City waited a relatively long time until the talks really intensified.

‘If this had happened a little earlier, the situation would have been different. So in the end it was the perfect ending, it couldn’t have come at a better time. It was also my childhood dream to play for FC Barcelona.’

Since joining Barcelona in the summer, Gundogan has started all four of their La Liga games and has contributed two assists, but he is still keeping a careful eye on Pep Guardiola’s team.

‘So far I’ve watched almost every game of my former club on TV, yes,’ Gundogan added.

‘I was in Manchester again before the start of the season and had a farewell party with Riyad Mahrez, which all the players also came to. That was a very nice goodbye. And contact with ex-colleagues and coaches will certainly continue.’

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The shortlist for the world’s most prestigious individual football award has been unveiled in anticipation of the ceremony scheduled for October 30 in Paris. Leading the pack are Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland, two of the standout contenders for this coveted accolade.

Messi’s inclusion is especially significant as he was absent from the shortlist last year. If he secures the men’s Ballon d’Or this year, it would mark his eighth win of the award, with Cristiano Ronaldo closely following with five victories. Additionally, Messi earned the Best FIFA Men’s Player award for the second time in February.

The announcement of the winner is scheduled to take place during a ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on October 30.

Messi’s leadership was instrumental in Argentina’s triumph at the 2022 World Cup in December, a major achievement that had eluded him throughout his remarkable 21-year career until then.

Messi had a mixed year for his club. He struggled at Paris Saint-Germain, but he did help the team win its 11th Ligue 1 title as they were eliminated from the Champions League at the round of 16 stage for the second consecutive season.

He chose to join Inter Miami on a free transfer this summer instead of staying in Paris, and he immediately made a difference by helping them win the Leagues Cup and advance to the U.S. Open Cup final.

Erling Haaland, who was also nominated, could be Messi’s toughest rival for the honour. The Norwegian forward helped Manchester City win the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League by tallying 52 goals in 53 games across all competitions.

In his first season in England, the 23-year-old shattered the Premier League’s single-season goal-scoring record with 36 goals.

The striker also took up a number of individual honours for his outstanding exploits, including PFA Player of the Year, Premier League Player of the Season, and Men’s Player of the Year from the Football Writers’ Association.

As expected, the list of nominees for this year’s award is heavily populated by players from Manchester City and Argentina.

Seven individuals who played pivotal roles in Manchester City’s triumphant treble-winning season, including Erling Haaland, have secured spots on the shortlist. Additionally, four Argentine players, including Lionel Messi, who contributed to their nation’s historic third World Cup victory, have also earned well-deserved nominations.

Full list of men’s Ballon d’Or nominees:
André Onana – Manchester United/Cameroon
Josko Gvardiol – Manchester City/Croatia
Karim Benzema – Al Ittihad
Jamal Musiala – Bayern Munich/Germany
Mohamed Salah – Liverpool/Egypt
Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid/England
Bukayo Saka – Arsenal/England
Randal Kolo Muani – Paris Saint-Germain/France
Kevin De Bruyne – Manchester City/Belgium
Bernardo Silva – Manchester City/Portugal
Emiliano Martínez – Aston Villa/Argentina
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – Napoli/Georgia
Rúben Dias – Manchester City/Portugal
Nicolo Barella – Inter Milan/Italy
Erling Haaland – Manchester City/Norway
Yassine Bounou – Al Hilal/Morocco
Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal/Norway
Julián Álvarez – Manchester City/Argentina
Ilkay Gündogan – Barcelona/Germany
Vinícius Júnior – Real Madrid/Brazil
Lionel Messi – Inter Miami/Argentina
Rodri – Manchester City/Spain
Lautaro Martínez – Inter Milan/Argentina
Antoine Griezmann – Atletico Madrid/France
Robert Lewandowski – Barcelona/Poland
Kylian Mbappé – Paris Saint-Germain/France
Kim Min-jae – Napoli/South Korea
Victor Osimhen – Napoli/Nigeria
Luka Modric – Real Madrid/Croatia
Harry Kane – Bayern Munich/England

The nominees for the 2023 Men’s Ballon d’Or are here! 🤩🏆

Plenty of Premier League representation! 👊 pic.twitter.com/VplS8vkZGD

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 6, 2023

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Ilkay Gundogan has acknowledged that Xavi was a major factor in his decision to go from Manchester City to Barcelona.

The 32-year-old concluded a trophy-filled career at the Etihad Stadium by winning the Champions League in June to complete a legendary triple for City.

Gundogan declined City’s offer of a new one-year deal with the possibility of an additional 12 months, choosing instead to accept the challenge of joining Barcelona, who reclaimed the La Liga championship from Real Madrid last season.

On Monday afternoon, Gundogan was introduced as a member of the Barcelona team, and he gave insight into how a chat with Xavi convinced him that it was time to move on.

“The first moment we talked to each other, I just felt it was right to come here, join the club and have the opportunity to prove myself at a different club and a different country,” Gundogan said. “I was close to coming here two times earlier but it was not meant to be. Now it is the time.

“Xavi made his ideas of how the team wants to play very clear. It’s very similar to how we played in Man City. It’s a similar school, Guardiola, Xavi…In the way he approached the talks, the honesty from him I saw sort of my own character reflected in him.

“It was probably not much of what he said but especially how he said it, which sometimes is more important.”

Pep Guardiola had been the driving force behind City’s desire to keep Gundogan, after making the German club captain after the departure of Fernandinho in 2022. And their close relationship is why Gundogan made sure that his manager was the first person to be informed of his decision to move on.

“For me, it was important that he was the first to know,” Gundogan revealed. “I expressed my gratitude to him, in a way I consider that he was happy and that when I needed anything about the club and about the city I would ask him for advice.

“It’s not so much that Pep lacked [anything]. I’ve known him well, for seven years, but I like challenges and constantly surpassing myself. All that the coach and the club have done to convince me, is that my desire to sign for the club has grown a lot.”

Gundogan has proven his credentials at City time and time again, but also stressed: “It’s an opportunity to show who I am, new team, new country, new city and even though I’m an age, I still have a lot to show.” 

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Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan has officially signed a two-year deal with Barcelona.

The 32-year-old’s contract at Camp Nou includes a 12-month extension option, ending his wildly successful seven-year tenure at the Etihad Stadium.

𝑩𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑲𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑵𝑬𝑾𝑺 İlkay Gündoğan joins FC Barcelona!

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) June 26, 2023

Gundogan was a tremendously important player last season as City concluded their lengthy wait for their first Champions League title, and he also played a key role in the team overtaking long-time Premier League leaders Arsenal.

The German’s influence didn’t end there, as a brace of goals at Wembley helped City beat Manchester United 2-1 to win the FA Cup – the first a magnificent volley from outside the box that was the fastest goal in a final.

Gundogan’s contract at the Etihad expired this summer, and despite Pep Guardiola’s desire for him to stay, he has chosen to move to La Liga in search of a fresh challenge.

“For me it has been a total privilege and pleasure to be part of Manchester City for the last seven years,” Gundogan told City’s official website upon confirmation of his exit. “Manchester has been my home and I have felt part of a very special family at City.

“I have been lucky to have experienced so many unforgettable moments in my time here and to have been captain for this extra special season has been the greatest experience of my career.

“First, I would like to thank Pep. To have been able to play under and learn from him for so long has been something I will never forget. I would also like to thank all my team-mates – past and present – who have all played such a special part in making my time here so amazing.

“Finally, I would like to thank the incredible City fans. They have supported me from the moment I arrived, and I owe them all so much for their support.

“This club made me realise all my dreams and I will forever be thankful for this opportunity.

“I will carry City always in my heart. Once a blue, always a blue.”

Gundogan played 304 times for City across all leagues and scored 60 goals from midfield. He won five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four Carabao Cups, two Community Shields, and, most significantly, the Champions League.

He will now join a Barcelona midfield that features players like Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, and Gavi. Xavi’s team is now ready to compete for the Champions League title after easily winning La Liga last season ahead of rival Real Madrid.

.@IlkayGuendogan joins Barcelona 👇

— Manchester City (@ManCity) June 26, 2023

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Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has decided to leave the Etihad and go for Xavi’s La Liga champions Barcelona.

Gundogan, who won three trophies, is expected to leave City when his contract expires, and Barcelona appear to be the favourites to sign him.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the German international has reached an agreement with the Catalan giants for a two-year contract with an additional year’s option. Barcelona is convinced that despite their continuous financial difficulties, the team will be able to sign Gundogan.

Gundogan arrives after captaining Manchester City to the Treble last season. The veteran will offer experience and depth to Xavi’s midfield which will be without Sergio Busquets next year following his decision to leave as a free agent.

Manchester City will be hurt by the midfielder’s exit. Gundogan would be a “extraordinary signing” for his previous club, but Guardiola had made it clear that he wanted him to stay. City has already reached an agreement with Chelsea to acquire Mateo Kovacic as part of their summer midfield expansion plan.

The first time Gundogan plays will be seen by Barcelona supporters during the preseason. In July, the Catalans will go to the US for friendlies against Juventus, Real Madrid, AC Milan, and Juventus.

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According to reports, Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has agreed a three-year deal with Barcelona and to leave the Man City at the end of the month.

Gundogan joined City in 2016 after making an impression at Borussia Dortmund for a transaction that was reported around £20 million. He was Pep Guardiola’s first acquisition as manager of City.

He has since scored some crucial goals, notably the winning goal in the FA Cup final last weekend, and has emerged as one of the most significant players in the club’s recent history.

Though it seems more and more probable that Gundogan will leave when his contract expires at the end of the month as the season comes to a conclusion.

According to reports, the German and Barcelona have reached a three-year agreement.

The Catalan giants want to officially announce the deal after this weekend’s Champions League final, according to Spanish news site Mundo Deportivo.

According to rumors, Barcelona has adequate salary room for the 32-year-old to join the team.

Gundogan is reportedly a major fan of Barcelona boss Xavi, who would probably start him right away among players like Frenkie De Jong, Pedri, and Gavi.

Ilkay Gündogan has reached an agreement with Barcelona for 3 seasons.

Barça have enough salary space for his arrival. The club plan to announce it after the UCL final.

[Mundo Deportivo] pic.twitter.com/hLPJNn2HLG

— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) June 9, 2023

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Following their 1-0 victory against Chelsea on Sunday afternoon, Manchester City lifted the Premier League trophy.

The victory over Arsenal by Nottingham Forest on Saturday night made City the champions for the third straight year. They win their seventh Premier League championship and total ninth top-flight crown.

After a brief pitch invasion, the City players were welcomed back onto the field and applauded onto the platform one by one before Ilkay Gundogan raised the trophy to the delight of the enthusiastic Etihad crowd.

The celebrations were a little more subdued than they were when City defeated Aston Villa on the last day of the season to win the league. Pep Guardiola will have his team concentrated on the challenges at hand since the Champions League and FA Cup finals are yet to come.

A winning streak that lasted from February to May allowed the Citizens, who had been behind Arsenal for much of the season, to make up ground.

Mᴀɴᴄʜᴇsᴛᴇʀ Cɪᴛʏ ᴀʀᴇ Pʀᴇᴍɪᴇʀ Lᴇᴀɢᴜᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴍᴘɪᴏɴs 🏆 pic.twitter.com/1n1CsyNnyp

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 21, 2023

The game’s lone goal was scored by Julian Alvarez as a much-changed City team took an early lead against a struggling Chelsea team. City had just thrashed Real Madrid in Europe midweek.

After Arsenal’s loss, Guardiola made many changes to his starting lineup, giving Stefan Ortega, Kalvin Phillips, Rico Lewis, Sergio Gomez, and Cole Palmer among others the chance to play in goal.

Raheem Sterling made his way back to the Etihad, where he observed as his old colleagues celebrated after having contributed significantly to four of their prior title victories.

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Manchester United player Marcus Rashford was named the EA SPORTS Player of the Month for the month of February 2023. This is the third time this season that Rashford has earned the award.

After scoring five goals in four games to help Manchester United go undefeated for the month, Rashford wins the award.

He scored in every game he played in February, sparking victories over Leeds United, Leicester City, and Crystal Palace as well as a comeback draw with Leeds after falling down by two goals.

September ✅
January ✅
February ✅

Marcus Rashford picks up his third @premierleague #POTM award of this season 🔥#FIFA23 #FUT pic.twitter.com/0f33fAAzeM

— EA SPORTS FC (@EASPORTSFC) March 10, 2023

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In winning the award Rashford equals the Premier League record for most EA SPORTS Player of the Month prizes in a single season. He is level with Mohamed Salah, who won three in 2017/18.

After Ilkay Gundogan did it in January and February of 2021, Rashford is the first player to get the award in back-to-back months.

Overall, Rashford has taken home the award four times in his career, falling three shies of the record shared by Sergio Aguero and Harry Kane.

The 25-year-old topped a six-man shortlist that included Kelechi Iheanacho, Bernd Leno, Emerson Royal, Manor Solomon and Ollie Watkins.

He won after the public’s votes on the EA SPORTS website were combined with those of a panel of football experts.

Your @EASPORTSFIFA Player of the Month for a THIRD time this season!

Congratulations, @MarcusRashford 😄👈#PLAwards | @ManUtd pic.twitter.com/tAjKexFHyT

— Premier League (@premierleague) March 10, 2023

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In their World Cup Group E opener on Wednesday, Japan stunned Germany by scoring two.

Japan stunned four-time champions Germany 2-1 in their World Cup Group E opener on Wednesday, thanks to goals from substitutes Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano in the final 15 minutes.

At the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, midfielder Ilkay Gundogan gave Germany the lead with a penalty in the 33rd minute, while forward Kai Havertz had the ball in the net just before halftime but the goal was disallowed for offside.

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But the second goal never materialized, as Japan continued to make regular forays into the German half, which led to Doan’s equalizer and an outstanding strike from Asano eight minutes later.

Germany is competing in its first World Cup under the direction of Hansi Flick, and the team is looking for atonement after an unexpected group-stage loss in Russia in 2018.

After losses to Mexico at the 2018 World Cup, where they were eliminated in the first round as champions, and to France at Euro 2020, Germany’s loss to France was their third straight loss in the opening game of a major championship.

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Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has acknowledged that he needs to know what the future holds for manager Pep Guardiola before he makes a decision on his future.

The 32-year-old club captain is out of contract at the end of the season, as is Guardiola, and Mp3bullet sport understands that Bayern Munich are interested in bringing him back to Germany. Reports elsewhere have also named Barcelona as suitors.

City are open to extending Gundogan’s contract but, speaking to kicker, the midfielder confessed that Guardiola’s future could play a significant role in his decision.

“I’m pretty relaxed about it,” he said when asked about his future. “While it doesn’t sound like much anymore, the summer of 2023 still feels so far away. I’m not overly concerned about it at the moment.

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“It’s not even clear what’s going to happen with our coach. His contract is only until 2023, and nobody knows what he is planning.

“In my career, I have always made my decisions dependent on who is the coach there, because the most important thing for a footballer is that the coach values ​​you, but can also challenge and encourage you.”

Gundogan went on to stress that he would be happy to remain with City, adding: “I feel very comfortable in Manchester and am very happy. I have a lot to thank the club for and I’ve experienced a lot of great moments. I can imagine hanging around for a few more years.”

Gundogan was content to rule out one possibility, though: a Liverpool reunion with former Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp.

“I think I can rule out that happening,” he laughed. “Everyone knows how much I like and appreciate Kloppo, but I’ve been at City for a few years now. And now, as City captain, moving to rivals Liverpool? I can’t imagine it.”

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Pep Guardiola has confirmed the change of Manchester City penalty taker as he acknowledges that Man City’s “penalty problem” may jeopardize their chances of winning the Champions League after Mahrez’s miss against Dortmund.

Guardiola stated that Riyad Mahrez will take a break from taking penalties after missing another one on Tuesday.

In the 0-0 draw against Borussia Dortmund, Gregor Kobel stopped a shot from Mahrez after he had previously missed from 12 yards out in the Champions League match against Copenhagen.

The City winger is not the only one to have missed a penalty in the six years since Guardiola took over; Phil Foden, Gabriel Jesus, and Raheem Sterling, the latter two of whom have since left the team, all missed penalties last season alone.

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Sergio Aguero, Ilkay Gundogan, and Kevin De Bruyne all missed penalty shots during the 2020–21 season, bringing City’s overall performance under Guardiola (excluding shootouts) to 25 missed efforts from 80 attempts.

Mahrez failed to convert his own penalty this week, costing City the game in Dortmund, but ultimately it didn’t matter because a point was still enough to win the group. Pep has made a decision on Man City’s penalty taker, he said:

“I admire the courage and bravery of the guys who take the penalties, I don’t know how many million penalties we’ve missed. We’ve done it in this competition many times,

“Riyad was exceptional two or three years ago, he shoots the penalty to go 1-1 here [in Dortmund] to help us reach the semi for the first time [in 2021]. Lately, he missed. He will reflect. He can take a break now with the penalties. He has the mentality to go there and do it. The teams are physically strong and we give advantage to them – it happened too many times. It’s many players.”

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