Josko Gvardiol: Manchester City defender almost quit football for basketball

Josko Gvardiol’s £77m move to Manchester City from RB Leipzig in August 2023 makes him the second most expensive defender of all time.

But the 23-year-old Croatia international revealed he was on the verge of leaving his “dream” football career while playing for Dinamo Zagreb.

“I was thinking about retiring because I love basketball too,” the centre-back told BBC Sport.

Gvardiol was 16 and struggling for playing time with Zagreb’s youth team, and considered stepping away from football.

“I’m not sure about football anymore because when you get to the training pitch you’re not happy anymore, you know?

“I was just trying to find other solutions and feel happier than I had before because all my friends were playing basketball.”

Gvardiol bided his time and broke into the first team, winning back-to-back titles with Zagreb and securing a league and cup double before sealing a move to the Bundesliga for £16m – a record fee for the Croatian teenager.

He impressed during his two seasons in Germany, and after 87 appearances for RB Leipzig, Gvardiol has signed a five-year contract with Manchester City in 2023.

Harry Maguire is the only defender in world football to have moved for more money, having joined Manchester United from Leicester City for £80m in 2019.

“Obviously my dream was to become a professional footballer, but I didn’t know I would go this far,” Gvardiol added.

“If you go back five years and ask me, do you see yourself at Manchester City in 2023, 24, 25? I would say no chance, because it is really impossible.”