He conveyed thanks. Also illusion. But above all, the desire to add by contributing his experience and his leadership in a project under construction. This is how Ilkay Gündogan appeared at his grand debut as a FC Barcelona player. With the Camp Nou under construction, the footballer’s presentation was held in the Barcelona sports city. He spoke about his references, his illusions, Xavi’s words and his relationship with Pep Guardiola.
Outside the sports city, many culés were waiting for him. Excited with the arrival of him. Also his family. Especially his wife, Sara Arfaoui, who celebrated her 29th birthday by blowing out the candles on a cake that President Joan Laporta himself brought her singing Happy Birthday. ‘Gundo’, as he likes to be called, was also accompanied by his mother-in-law, Emma, ??and of course the couple’s son, little Qais, who was born on March 15.
He was accompanied by the entire main team of FC Barcelona led by the president Joan Laporta. Proud to have managed to seduce Gundogan. “You have made an important effort to come. I am excited because you have prioritized being part of this club. Of this history Of the prestige of Barcelona. But renouncing offers that were economically more powerful than ours”. The football director Mateu Alemany got up just for the official photo, with one eye on closing the signing of Oriol Romeu who was undergoing a medical examination at the Hospital de Barcelona while Gündogan spoke his first words.
“I am very excited and proud to be part of this team. I always wanted to be part of it. When I was little I watched Rijkaard’s games as well as Pep Guardiola’s,” said the former Manchester City captain. “How you play is very important here “We believe that being the best playing in the end you win. And you have learned the style because you have worked with people who know it since they have been at Barça for many years”, added the president Joan Laporta in English. I will say it in Catalan. We are convinced that you will be successful and that we will be very proud of you”, declared the president before handing him the club’s membership card. It has the number 151.201. “I want to thank you for your work and your love. Also the of the entire board. To Mateu Alemany, Deco and Jordi Cruyff who has been part of my being here”, Gündogan sentenced under the watchful eye of Ilhan Gündogan, the footballer’s agent and uncle.
After some skilful touches of the ball, now wearing the Blaugrana kit but still without a number, Gündogan set foot in the press room for the first time. He spoke first from a lectern the president of FC Barcelona. “You have Barcelona in love with you. Barça comes out stronger not only sportingly but institutionally”, Laporta pointed out. “I like the harmony that Xavi and you have. We have won the League. Now we want more, we want to compete for the Champions League. Gundogan was the first player that Xavi asked us for. I want to congratulate Mateu Alemany and his entire team. He has been a signing that has been cooked over a slow fire”, explained the president.
It was the Balearic football director who revealed how the operation was cooked. “The first time we spoke with him was when we closed the signing of Christensen because they share an agent. That day we discussed that Gündogan should be next. Obviously we are waiting for January and with the collective work of the coach, who is key to convincing the footballer, of Jordi Cruyff, of Rafa Yuste and of the vice-president, we begin to work. I know that the proposals were superior to those that Barça made. I know that your uncle and agent is not happy with what we have agreed to but in the end you have chosen”, Mateu Alemany joked.
Dressed in a black, American shirt and pants of the same color, the Turkish footballer answered the press’s questions confidently and convinced. “I chose Barça because it is a team that makes us feel proud. In these years I have been able to acquire a lot of experience and with this very young team combined with experience, we can do great things”, he explained. Asked how he could help the club’s midfielders, the Turkish footballer conveyed words of praise for Pedri, Gavi and also for Frenkie de Jong. “They are incredible, Gavi, Pedri, de Jong… I already have an experience, my life and my career have not been a path of roses. I think my experience in recent years can help, both offensively as well as defensively. They are very talented youngsters who do better things than me”, he pointed out,
It was the coach Xavi Hernández who called the player several times – always since January 1 when the footballer was released – to explain his project. “First of all, he made my ideas very clear. It’s very similar to what I’ve done with Manchester City. His direct manner, his character, made me reflect on him, also how he played. From the beginning we had a very good connection Sometimes the how is said is more important than the what”. Asked about his profile in Xavi’s scheme, Gündogan explained that the coach “has told me that it will depend on the game. He appreciates that I can be versatile. Pivot, inside… whatever Xavi tells me”.
And from coach to coach. How did you communicate his decision to Pep Guardiola? “It was by phone, we were on vacation, but it was important to me that he was the first to know. I expressed my gratitude to him, in a certain way I think that he was happy and that when he needed anything about the club and the city he asked him for advice. He couldn’t do much to convince me, he was clear about it ”.
He also spoke with Robert Lewandowski. The former City captain coincided with the German for three seasons at Borussia Dortmund. Since then they have maintained a close friendship. “I spoke to him before the holidays. He told me about the club, the Mediterranean lifestyle, the city and what he likes to be part of Barça. His words were very powerful. Ter Stegen also wrote to me. By then I already had my decision made, ”he confessed.
He admired Ronaldinho. And he wanted to be like Iniesta, Xavi and of course Sergio Busquets. “I appreciate you very much. He is a great player and is very responsible for the success that Barça has had in recent years. I am ready to replace you if you need it. In recent years I think I’ve shown that I can play different roles and I think I’ll be able to help where I’m needed,” he added.
Gundogan will not officially be captain but in the sports city they consider that the former City player has the material to be a leader without an armband. “I am very motivated and that will give me the strength to be part of Barça’s comeback at a European level. Thanks to Xavi we are seeing how the club is building some very positive foundations, with a balanced game and with some bases to succeed again in Europe”. As the current champion of the Champions League with Manchester City, Gündogan sent one last message. “The Champions League is a very difficult and very competitive trophy. For many years we were favorites with City. Small details can make a difference. From the experience of having won the Champions League, I believe and I know that I can contribute something to achieve it,” he declared. The party ended with Laporta singing happy birthday to Gündogan’s wife.
