Ilkay Gundogan reveals top-level football career nearly ended in 2013

Manchester City star Ilkay Gundogan reveals his top-level football career nearly ended in 2013 when a surgeon wanted to put a ‘big SCREW’ in his back to fix an injury that left him on the sidelines for 14 months

  • Ilkay Gundogan has revealed all on his injury nightmare at Borussia Dortmund 
  • The midfielder, now at Manchester City, admitted he feared for his elite career 
  • Following a serious back injury, Gundogan’s surgeon wanted to fit a big screw 
  • Gundogan claims the screw may have seen his top-level career ended in 2013

Manchester City’s newfound talisman Ilkay Gundogan has revealed his career at the highest level was almost brought to an agonising end due to a serious back injury.

Gundogan, 30, is perhaps in the form of his life, having netted 11 Premier League goals this season, but almost found his lofty aspirations derailed back in 2013.

The midfielder was forced to miss over a year – and has claimed his surgeon wanted to fit a screw in his back that may have forced him off the elite stage for good.

Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundogan claims his top-level career was almost ended due to injury

He told The Guardian: ‘I was out for 14 months but the worst part was that no one really knew what kind of injury it was. 

‘I saw a surgeon and he wanted to put a big screw in my back which would not allow me to play football at that level.’

Gundogan admitted he feared for the rest of his career aged just 23 when the severity of the problem became clear.

While at Borussia Dortmund, Gundogan (above) missed 14 months due to a serious back issue

‘So I was scared of not playing again and I’m really grateful I found the right [surgeon],’ he added.

‘Of course I still have to deal with issues but I’m feeling well enough.’

Despite eventually being able to play again, Gundogan was forced to miss out on Germany’s World Cup glory in 2014 during his days on the treatment table. 

Two years later, the former Borussia Dortmund man joined Manchester City, snubbing fierce interest from Manchester United in the process. 

But Gundogan recovered from his injury nightmare and is now arguably in the form of his life

Old Trafford scouts frequently attended Dortmund fixtures, largely to watch team-mate Shinji Kagawa, but Gundogan caught the eye. 

A move failed to materialise, however, with Dortmund initially unwilling to sell. 

And after Pep Guardiola made him his first ever signing at the Etihad, Gundogan went on to become a key performer and has since won the Premier League twice. 

He has made 21 appearances in the top-flight this term, and his goalscoring antics have proved crucial in City’s record-breaking streak of 21 consecutive wins. 




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