Man City star Ilkay Gundogan’s wife thanks Manchester for the city’s ‘love’ despite criticism

The wife of Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has paid tribute to the city’s ‘love’ as they prepare to move to Barcelona, despite criticising the array of restaurants serving ‘horrible’ and ‘all frozen’ food just a matter of months ago.

Barcelona yesterday confirmed the signing of the Treble winner on a free transfer after he opted against signing an extension at the Etihad. He has joined on a two-year deal and leaves City after winning 12 major trophies during his seven-year stint.

He and partner Sara Arfaoui, 28, will shortly relocate to Catalonia for their next chapter but have taken the time to reflect back on their stay in the Premier League.

And it appears Arfaoui, a model and TV presenter, has had a change of heart about several elements of life in Manchester, having once hit out at the culinary scene.

Penning a farewell message on Instagram, she wrote: ‘I can’t say much just because I’m not realising what is happening. All I can say is thank you Manchester for giving us all this love and thank you to our friends. I will miss my City family.

Gundogan opted to join Barcelona instead of renewing at City and signed a two-year deal

Arfaoui reflected back on the couple’s memorable stint with the Champions League winners

‘I arrived in Manchester without expectations and I leave as a wife, a mum and with the greatest friends we could wish for.

‘I did follow City everywhere, dreaming of winning the Champions League, but what happened was more than I dreamed of. I will keep everyone in my heart.

‘My @ilkayguendogan, you were amazing and I was proud of you every game. Forever the Treble capitano!’ 

In October last year, however, Arfaoui had complained that there had been no good places to eat in the city and declared she was fed up with ‘horrible food’.

Scathingly, she also said restaurants were ‘focused on making money with drinks’.

In a social media post, she paid tribute to their friends and shared her pride with Gundogan

Just months prior, model and TV presenter Arfaoui criticised Manchester’s restaurant scene

Asked to name her favourite eatery on Instagram, she scathingly hit out at ‘the horrible food’

After being asked to name her favourite eatery in Manchester, Arfaoui added she could not find ‘a real Italian or good sushi or just fresh food… everything frozen’. 

In an Instagram post, she wrote: ‘Sorry, I’m sad to be honest but nothing. I tired [sic] so bad to find a good restaurant but horrible food everywhere.

‘Can’t find a real Italian or good sushi or just fresh food… everything frozen. Restaurants here are focus [sic] on making money with drinks and shot [sic] like nightclubs, not quality food. Maybe in London but in Manchester nothing. I’m sorry.’

Reacting to her post, food critic Jay Rayner told The Sun: ‘This is a ludicrous point of view. Manchester’s packed full of brilliant, independent restaurants.

‘It’s an absolute gem of a place to eat and comments like this during difficult economic times are not helpful to businesses struggling to make ends meet.’

Gundogan met Arfaoui in early 2021 and they announced their engagement that December

They then tied the knot in a private ceremony, with Arfaoui sharing they were ‘really happy’

Arfaoui’s comments came after Jorgelina Cardoso, the wife of former Manchester United winger Angel Di Maria, said last August that food in Britain is ‘disgusting’.

Gundogan met Arfaoui in early 2021 and they announced their engagement in December of the same year. They then married in a private ceremony last May.

The Germany international was Pep Guardiola’s first signing for City, having moved to the Etihad in a £21million deal from Borussia Dortmund in 2016.

Gundogan had been offered a fresh one-year deal by the Champions League winners but chose to join Barcelona instead after speaking with manager Xavi.

His former side tweeted their ‘thanks’ for the 32-year-old’s ‘hugely successful stay’ at the club and hailed the ‘unforgettable moments’ he provided.