The defender became the world's second-most expensive defender with his £77m move from RB Leipzig in 2023.

Following his move, he secured a five-year deal with Manchester City. His transfer fee was surpassed only by Harry Maguire's £80m move to Manchester United in 2019.

Since his move, he has become an important player in the team and has grown to become one of the best defenders in the world. He also helped his team defeat Villarreal in the Champions League.

The Croatian international admitted that during a difficult period in Dinamo Zagreb's youth setup, he nearly abandoned his "dream" career.

"I was thinking about quitting because I like basketball as well," the centre-back told BBC Sport. "Basketball is my number one."

"I wasn't sure in football any more because when you get to the training ground, you don't feel happy any more, you know?" he explained. 

"I was just trying to find other solutions and to feel happier... all of my friends were playing basketball."

"My dream obviously was to become a professional football player, but I didn't know that I was going to go that far," Gvardiol reflected. 

"If you go five years back and ask me, do you see yourself at Manchester City... I would say no chance, like really impossible."