Manchester City star Jack Grealish has heaped praises on his former City teammate Ilkay Gundogan following the German midfielder’s standout performance in securing safe passage for Germany into the knockout rounds of the Euro 2024 tournament.
IIkay Gundogan, who captained the German side against Hungary on Wednesday evening, June 19 played a pivotal role in his team’s victory with a goal and an assist that helped them secure a spot in the next round of the competition.
The German national team opened the scoring after 22 minutes, with Jamal Musiala finishing calmly in the box after being set up by Gundogan.
The 33-year-old midfielder then sealed Germany’s victory in the 67th minute with a goal of his own, capping off a brilliant passing move that left the Hungarian defense scrambling.
Grealish, who played alongside Gundogan at Manchester City before the German captain moved to Barcelona, commended the midfielder for his strength and skill on the field.
Jack Grealish took to his social media to express his admiration for Gundogan, saying: “can’t explain how good this guy his man honestly one of the best I’ve ever had the pleasure of playing with”.
The 2-0 win over Hungary secured Germany’s place in the knockout rounds, having defeated Scotland 5-1 in their opener amounting to 6 points.
Ilkay Gundogan career and achievement
Ilkay Gundogan’s career has been nothing short of spectacular, with a journey that has seen him play for top clubs across Europe.
The German midfielder first made a name for himself at Borussia Dortmund, where he played a pivotal role in their success during his time at the club.
Winning both the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal in his first season with Dortmund in 2012, Gündoğan quickly established himself as a key player in their midfield.
His talents were further showcased when he helped Dortmund reach the 2013 UEFA Champions League final, scoring a memorable goal in the match despite their defeat to Bayern Munich.
IIkay Gundogan stint at Manchester City
Gundogan’s impressive performances caught the eye of Manchester City, who secured his services in 2016.
During his time at City, Gundogan enjoyed immense success, winning multiple Premier League titles, EFL Cups, FA Cups, and ultimately the Champions League.
In his final season with Manchester City in 2022-23, Gundogan achieved a remarkable continental treble, serving as the club captain and leading them to glory.
His leadership qualities and exceptional skill on the field made him a fan favorite during his time at the Etihad Stadium where he played 304 matches and scored 60 goals.
After leaving Manchester City, Gundogan decided to continue his career at Barcelona, hoping to bring his winning mentality and experience to the Spanish giants.
So far, Gundogan has played 608 matches in his club career netting 115 goals and creating 78 assists.
IIkay Gundogan’s International stats
Ilkay Gundogan is a talented German footballer who has represented his country at various levels before making his senior debut in 2011.
Starting from the under-18 team all the way to the under-21s, Gündoğan gradually worked his way up the ranks and proved himself to be a valuable asset to the national team.
He was part of Germany’s squads for prestigious tournaments such as the UEFA European Championship in 2012, 2020, and 2024, showcasing his skills on the international stage.
Gundogan also featured in the FIFA World Cup in 2018 and 2022, demonstrating his consistency and ability to perform at the highest level.
At the International level, Iikay Gundogan has made over 100 appearances netting 21 goals.
What’s next for IIkay Gundogan?
Gundogan’s impressive resume speaks for itself, and his ability to adapt to different playing styles and excel at the highest level of competition makes him a valuable asset to any team he represents.
As he continues with the hope of winning the Euro tournament for the host country Germany, fans can expect to see Gundogan bring his trademark creativity, vision, and goal-scoring prowess to Deutsche Bank Park stadium when they play their final group match with Switzerland on Sunday, June 23.
