16:09 / 28.10.2025

Yoshko Guardiol's mysterious character about his retirement from football

Manchester City's talented and versatile defender, Yoshko Guardiol, revealed in a recent interview that he had thought about leaving football altogether in his youth.

The Croatian footballer moved from RB Leipzig to England in 2023 for £77 million. This transfer made him one of the most expensive defenders in world football - only a few players have changed teams for a higher sum.

But behind these achievements lies not only talent, but also great trials and internal struggles. In an interview with the BBC, Yoshko Guardiol said that at the age of 16, while playing for Dinamo Zagreb, he couldn't enjoy football and seriously considered changing his sporting background.

"At one time, I wanted to quit football. Because I couldn't feel happy on the field. Almost all my friends around me played basketball. I thought about choosing the same path. I didn't see my future in football," says Guardiol.

At the same time, he noted that he well understood that by making this decision, his life could take a completely different direction:

"If I had been asked five years ago, 'Can you see yourself at Manchester City in 2025?' I would have certainly answered no. But life led me in an unexpected direction."

Guardiola has now become a key figure for Pep Guardiola as part of City. He found his place in both defense and midfield and quickly became a favorite player among the team's fans. Due to his physical fitness, high intellect, and versatile play, Guardiola plays him in the starting lineup with great confidence.

The coaching staff believes Yoshko has the potential to become a key defender for City in the future. His young age, quick decision-making ability, and fighting spirit further reinforce this prediction.

The fact that a young man who thought about quitting football is playing in the starting lineup of a club that is world-famous today is a real source of inspiration. Yoshko Guardiol proved through his hard work and patience that any difficulty can be overcome.