Manchester City defender Joško Gvardiol has revealed that he nearly walked away from football as a teenager while coming through the academy ranks at Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia.
Gvardiol, now one of Europe’s most promising defenders, joined Dinamo’s youth set-up in 2010 but struggled to secure regular playing time as he climbed the youth levels. The frustration, he admits, almost made him give up the sport entirely.
Speaking in an interview with the BBC, the 22-year-old confessed that at age 16, he was just “days away” from quitting football because he no longer felt happy.
“At that time, I was really close to leaving football,” Gvardiol said. “I wasn’t playing much, and I just wanted to feel happier. I thought maybe football wasn’t for me.”
Fortunately, encouragement from his family and coaches convinced him to keep going—a decision that has since shaped an impressive career. Gvardiol broke into Dinamo Zagreb’s first team, earned a move to RB Leipzig in 2021, and later joined Manchester City in a blockbuster transfer worth around £77 million in 2023.
Since then, he has established himself as a key figure in Pep Guardiola’s backline, winning the Premier League and adding his name to Croatia’s growing list of elite football exports.
“Looking back, I’m glad I didn’t stop. Every player goes through moments of doubt, but what matters is how you come out of it,” he added.
Gvardiol’s story serves as an inspiring reminder of the emotional struggles young players face on their path to success—and how perseverance can turn early frustration into football glory.
