Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol has opened up about a difficult period early in his career when he almost gave up football altogether before rising to become one of the most expensive defenders in the world.
The 23-year-old Croatian, who joined City from RB Leipzig in August 2023 for £77 million, told BBC Sport that as a teenager at Dinamo Zagreb, he nearly walked away from the sport due to frustration and lack of game time.
“I was thinking about quitting because I like basketball as well,” Gvardiol revealed. “I wasn’t sure about football anymore because when you go to training and you don’t feel happy, you start looking for other things. All my friends were playing basketball, and I wanted to feel that joy again.”
At 16 years old, Gvardiol struggled to break into Dinamo Zagreb’s youth setup and momentarily lost his passion for football. However, persistence paid off — he eventually earned a spot in the first team, helping the club to back-to-back league titles and a domestic double before securing a £16 million move to RB Leipzig in 2021, a record fee for a Croatian teenager at the time.
During two stellar seasons in Germany, Gvardiol made 87 appearances and became one of Europe’s most sought-after defenders. His £77 million transfer to Manchester City in 2023 made him the second-most expensive defender in history, behind Harry Maguire’s £80 million move to Manchester United in 2019.
“My dream was always to become a professional footballer, but I never imagined I’d reach this level,” Gvardiol said. “If you had asked me five years ago whether I’d be playing for Manchester City, I would’ve said there’s no chance — completely impossible.”
Now an integral part of Pep Guardiola’s tactical setup, Gvardiol has impressed with his composure, strength, and positional intelligence. He featured in 55 of City’s 61 matches last season, amassing over 6,000 minutes across club and international competitions.
“Last season, I told myself, no matter how I feel or if I’m fit, I just want to play and help the team,” he said. “I could feel it physically — especially after my knee injury — but now, six months later, I finally feel good again.”
Manager Pep Guardiola has praised Gvardiol’s maturity and development, calling him a key part of City’s squad.
“We can’t forget that last season he was one of our most important players,” Guardiola said. “He’s still so young, physically incredible, and capable of playing multiple positions. He listens, he learns, and he’s only going to get better.”
From nearly walking away from football to anchoring Manchester City’s defense, Josko Gvardiol’s story is a powerful reminder that perseverance and self-belief can turn doubt into destiny.
