Key Takeaways:
- Josko Gvardiol nearly left football as a teenager before his career propelled him to Manchester City in a £77 million transfer from RB Leipzig in 2023
- The Croatian international has returned to centre-back this season after a stint at left-back and has become key to City’s defensive lineup
- Manchester City remained unbeaten in their last five Premier League matches following a challenging, trophyless campaign the previous year
Gvardiol’s Early Struggles and Turning Point
Josko Gvardiol, Manchester City’s £77 million signing and the world’s second-most expensive defender, has disclosed that he almost gave up on his footballing aspirations as a teenager. Although he began his journey with Dinamo Zagreb’s youth setup in 2010, Gvardiol found playing opportunities limited as he progressed through the ranks. By the age of 16, he seriously contemplated leaving the sport due to a lack of enjoyment and considered switching his focus to basketball, a passion shared by many of his friends.
Josko Gvardiol: “I was thinking about quitting [football at Dinamo Zagreb] because I like basketball as well…
I wasn't sure in football any more because when you get to the training ground you don't feel happy any more, you know? I was just trying to find other solutions and to… pic.twitter.com/QO1XbYqhgb
— City Report (@cityreport_) October 23, 2025
He told BBC Sport: “I was thinking about quitting because I like basketball as well.
“I wasn’t sure in football any more because when you get to the training ground you don’t feel happy any more, you know?
“I was just trying to find other solutions and to feel happier than I felt before because all of my friends were playing basketball.”
Rise to Prominence
Despite these doubts, Gvardiol persevered and broke through to the Dinamo Zagreb first team in 2019. Over two seasons with the senior squad, he secured silverware such as the Croatian Super Cup and League Cup. His performances garnered attention from European clubs, and in 2021, he joined RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga, where he further enhanced his reputation over two campaigns.
From Leipzig to Manchester: A Record Transfer
Gvardiol’s consistency at centre-back attracted the attention of Manchester City, who completed his £77 million signing in 2023 on a five-year contract. This fee positioned him just below Harry Maguire, who transferred to Manchester United from Leicester City for £80 million.
Impact at Manchester City and Tactical Evolution
At Manchester City, Gvardiol initially found himself deployed in a left-back role by manager Pep Guardiola, who praised his positional versatility. Gvardiol’s rise in importance within the squad surprised even himself, as he reflected: “If you go five years back and ask me, do you see yourself at Manchester City in 2023, ’24, ’25? I would say no chance, like really impossible.”
Following a trophyless campaign in 2024/25, City’s resurgence this season has seen them maintain an unbeaten run across their last five Premier League fixtures. Gvardiol has since been restored to his natural position at centre-back, where he has thrived. He commented on this change: “I’m happy to be back to my position, just play simple, protect the goal, defend the goal.”
