Ilkay Gundogan says he would only have left Manchester City for one club as he explained his reasons for joining Barcelona on a free transfer.
Gundogan has signed a two-year contract at Barcelona, with the option of a third year, to call time on a glorious seven-year spell at City. The Blues wanted him to stay, but Barcelona's offer was longer, and Gundogan leaves with the club's blessing just two weeks after lifting the Champions League trophy in Istanbul.
Explaining his thought process behind leaving, Gundogan said that securing the treble was the perfect way to sign off, and opened up on why he chose Barcelona to continue his career after his stint in Manchester.
Gundogan was Pep Guardiola's first signing in 2016, and has a close relationship with the manager, but told the Players' Tribune that his boss understands his decision, which is perhaps easier for him to take with Barcelona being Gundogan's next destination.
"I can only imagine what the fans thought when this quiet guy with the funny name arrived here in Manchester for a lot of money and he was limping around on crutches at the unveiling," Gundogan said.
"Well, all I can say is ... I came here limping on one foot, but I leave here feeling like I am flying in the clouds. After the treble, and after the spectacular parade in the Manchester rain, I thought to myself: How could it ever have worked out better than this? What more could you have achieved? How could you write something more perfect?
"And the answer was, You couldn’t."
Reflecting on the decision to choose Barcelona, Gundogan said that it has always been his dream to play for the Nou Camp side, and hopes to face City in a Champions League final with his new club.
"I think maybe Pep was hoping that we would come here to City together and leave together, but I know that he understands my decision," Gundogan admitted. "I am sure it helps that I’m going to his boyhood club. Hopefully we’ll have a reunion soon in a Champions League Final.
"If I was going to move, there is only one club in the world that made sense. It was Barcelona or nothing. Ever since I was a little kid, I dreamed of wearing that shirt some day.
"I am confident that I have a few more years left at the highest level, and I just want to help bring Barcelona back to where they deserve to be. It will be a reunion with my old friend Lewa [Robert Lewandowski], and I’m excited to play under another manager who I have admired for a long time. When Xavi and I talked about the project, it just seemed so natural. I see so many similarities between us as characters and in the way we see the game.
"I know there’s going to be a lot of pressure at Barcelona. But I love pressure. I love to get out of my comfort zone. I was not looking for an easy landing. I was looking for a new challenge. That’s what this next chapter is all about. I can’t wait to play in the Barcelona shirt."
