Manchester City’s star defender, Josko Gvardiol, has opened up about a surprising chapter from his past, revealing that he once came close to abandoning football entirely to chase a career in basketball.
The Croatian international, now one of the Premier League’s most valuable defenders following his £77 million transfer to City, said the thought of quitting football came during his teenage years at Dinamo Zagreb, where he struggled with limited playing time.
“I was thinking about quitting because I like basketball as well,” Gvardiol told the BBC. “I wasn’t sure about football anymore because when you get to the training ground, you don’t feel happy any more. I was just trying to find other solutions and to feel happier than I felt before because all of my friends were playing basketball.”
At just 16, Gvardiol felt sidelined and frustrated, prompting serious thoughts of leaving football for good. However, his determination and perseverance eventually paid off. He broke into Dinamo Zagreb’s first team, went on to lift two domestic trophies, and secured a record-breaking move to RB Leipzig before earning his dream transfer to Manchester City.
Reflecting on his journey, the defender admitted he still finds it hard to believe how far he’s come. “If someone told me five years ago that I’d be playing for Manchester City, I’d have said it was impossible,” he said.
Today, Gvardiol stands as a testament to resilience and passion, having played over 6,000 minutes for club and country last season. The man who almost swapped football boots for basketball sneakers has become one of Europe’s brightest defensive stars.
What's Your Reaction?
Leave your vote
