Ilkay Gündogan was celebrated as captain of the triple winner Manchester City at a big bus parade on Monday evening. Then there was the trip to the national team, in which the midfield star still has to prove himself as the leader for the EM 2024.
Even thunder and lightning could not stop the hurricane of jubilation at Manchester City’s triple parade after Ilkay Gündogan and Co.’s triumphant march through football in Europe. When the triumphal journey of the newly crowned Champions League winner with the three trophies of the season began slightly delayed after a violent summer storm in an open party bus at the 169 m high Beetham Tower, the streets in the center of the 600,000-inhabitant metropolis sank into a sky-blue sky A sea of color from tens of thousands of enthusiastic fans and what is presumably the biggest celebration in the working-class city.
Gündogan and his teammates alternately showed their euphoric and mostly soaking rained fans the trophies for their successes in the championship and the FA Cup – but above all the handle pot for the first triumph of the Sheikh Club in Europe’s premier class. For the continuous loop of “We are the champions”, Pep Guardiola’s protégés, who were chauffeured by a special tram to the sky-blue double-decker bus, splashed each other, their coach and their screaming fans with champagne on the walking speed bus.
In addition to the appearances of Champions League hero Rodri or record scorer Erling Haaland, the Citizens fans also repeatedly challenged “their” captain Gündogan with the trophies in the front row. Born in Gelsenkirchen, he visibly enjoyed the unique moments – but after the party, the midfield star felt it was time for new goals and a difficult future decision.
“With the Champions League title, I’ve finally fulfilled my biggest dream at club level. But every title win still makes you hungrier,” said Gündogan, who traveled to the DFB team in Frankfurt/Main on Wednesday, Sport Bild: “It’s clear that I’m still missing the title with the national team. That’s certainly not impossible in 2024, but we still have a lot of work ahead of us.”
This applies to the entire DFB selection – and to Gündogan. At Guardiola, the 32-year-old was a leading player with goalscoring qualities without any ifs and buts, with Hansi Flick he apparently still has to earn this status before the home European Championship.
Where is Gündogan going?
Around the 1000th international match of a DFB selection on Monday in Bremen against the Ukraine (3: 3), the national coach avoided an answer to the question of whether he would always rely on the flexible technician in the future. “As coaches we are happy to have such a large number of quality players,” said Flick.
A process that Gündogan wants to play a key role in pushing. He hopes to “get even more responsibility there and show better performances,” said the former Borussia Dortmund professional in relation to the DFB team after City’s victory in the final of the premier class against Inter Milan (1-0) on Sky . He now has to ponder where he will develop the self-image for top performances in the future. Manchester’s number eight is out of contract.
Guardiola is openly courting a contract extension for the 66-time national player. But Gündogan can apparently choose between top clubs like FC Barcelona, Paris St. Germain, FC Arsenal or BVB. Alternatively, there would also be the chance to make big money in Saudi Arabia.
The upcoming major event in the summer of 2024 and Gündogan’s ambition to shape the national team even more clearly speak for a future in Europe. Because Gündogan feels a great desire to celebrate more titles.