Ilkay Gundogan is thought to have left Barcelona disappointed with the behaviour of two of his former team-mates, according to reports in Spain.
The former Manchester City captain spent just one season in Catalonia after leaving the Etihad on the heels of winning the club’s historic Treble in 2023.
While Gundogan signed a two-year deal to join the Catalan giants, the Germany international made an unexpected return to his old club this summer as Barcelona attempted to shift his over-£200,000-a-week salary off their books.
Gundogan was allowed to leave the club on a free transfer, with Pep Guardiola delighted to be able to call upon his midfield general once again.
But under different financial circumstances, Gundogan may have still opted to leave the Blaugrana, after struggling to gel with two of the dressing room’s big beasts.
Former captain Ilkay Gundogan made his sensational return to Manchester City this summer
The midfielder spent just one season at his new club Barcelona before leaving in a free move
Gundogan left the Etihad on the heels of helping the club win their historic Treble in 2022-23
As per Bar Canaletes, Gundogan is thought to have found fault with club captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen and a player he previously played alongside at Borussia Dortmund, Robert Lewandowski.
Journalist Joan Fontes told the Spanish-language radio programme that the 33-year-old had taken issue with Ter Stegen’s more reserved personality, believeing that the goalkeeper should have been a more vocal presence in the dressing room.
Ter Stegen is thought to have largely kept to himself amid his colleagues, something which Gundogan is believed to have found difficult to work alongside.
Gundogan’s issue with Lewandowski is thought to have stemmed from his belief in the player’s perspective on youth development.
The prolific Polish striker did not – in his team-mate’s eyes – place too much emphasis on helping younger players in the squad develop, instead focusing more closely on his own tally.
Gundogan is thought to have felt that Lewandowski’s own performances, rather than the team’s, were more important to the striker.
Monday’s revelations are not the first time that Gundogan’s discontent with the dressing room at Barcelona have come under scrutiny.
Last October, Gundogan slammed his team-mates in the wake of defeat in El Clasico to Real Madrid, and as recently as April, the midfielder publicly tore into the team’s performance after they were knocked out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain.
Gundogan is believed to have taken umbrage with Robert Lewandowski’s refusal to help younger players in the squad
The player is thought to have struggled with his compatriot Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s reticence
Along with Ronald Araujo, Lewandowski was one of Gundogan’s primary targets as he spoke to the media after full-time.
Lewandowski was one of the players responsible for Vitinha’s goal, and while Gundogan opted not to name names, he made his feelings about Barcelona’s defensive frailties on the night clear.
‘Again, it’s another mistake. I think we have to step out there and don’t let him shoot because he was so free,’ Gundogan said.
‘I mean, it isn’t anything we haven’t trained to be honest. The closest man to the player, to the ball, has to step out. We were three with three and Vitinha was the fourth man.
‘Someone has to step out but no one did, or did too late, it was a good shot and the second goal,’ he added. ‘Again, it was not necessary at all but it’s too late right now.’
