Like Mesut Ozil, İlkay Gündoğan was born to Turkish parents, Irfan and Ayten Gündoğan, and grew up in Gelsenkirchen. From a young age, he had boundless energy, and football became his outlet. However, he faced setbacks due to growth problems that forced him to take a break from the sport, which he described as one of the most disappointing moments in his life.
Beyond football, İlkay Gündoğan is celebrated for his Turkish heritage, which holds significant importance in his life. We’ll delve into the story of his paternal grandfather, a miner who migrated from Balıkesir, Turkey, to the Ruhr region of Germany to build a better future for his descendants, including İlkay Gündoğan. The Gündoğan family is widely respected as one of the most prominent Turkish football households in Germany, a legacy we’ll explore in detail.
Ilkay Gundogan: Turkish Heritage and How He Overcame Setbacks
Our Ilkay Gundogan Biography, including his untold childhood story, brings you a full account of notable events from his childhood right to the moment he became famous.
The breakdown of the History of the Man City midfield Legend involves his life story before fame, family life, relationship life and many OFF-Pitch, little-known facts about him.
Just like KDB, everyone knows about his midfield abilities, but not many have read Ilkay Gundogan’s Biography, which is quite interesting. Now, without further ado, let’s Begin.
Ilkay Gundogan Childhood Story – Early Life and Family Background:
For Biography starters, the German Captain is best known by the Nickname; ‘Gunny’.Ilkay Gundogan was born on the 24th day of October 1990 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.
The Man City legend was born in Gelsenkirchen (the home of Manuel Neuer) to Turkish parents, Mr Irfan Gundogan (father) and Ayten Gundogan (mother).
Ilkay Gundogan as a kid.
The coming of both parents to Germany came through his grandfather, who first moved from Balıkesir, Turkey, to the Ruhr region of Germany, where he worked as a miner.
Ilkay Gundogan was born in Germany because of his granddad’s efforts in bringing his parents to Germany after his Nordstern mining job paid off.
Ever smiley, Ilkay lived a happy childhood life at the popular Gelsenkirchen, a migrant neighbourhood that is known to have produced talents like Mesut Ozil and Leroy Sane, who came from Turkish families and African parents, respectively.
At this age, Ilkay Gundogan had no worries in life. He was well cared for by his parents – Irfan and Ayten Gundogan.
Ilkay Gundogan started playing football on the first day he went to school in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.
As he puts it: “No matter where I was or where I went, I always took my football with me. I even took my football to bed with me.
I practised in the lounge at home just as I did in the yard behind my parents’ house.
In fact, Our yard became a regular meeting place for all the children in the neighbourhood because it had garage doors that we could use as a goalpost.
I played there all the time with my brother. I learnt a lot from him because he was older and bigger than me.
I always played with older people later on too, and was always the smallest in the field of play. This is how I learned to assert myself.
After registering him at his first youth club, SV Gelsenkirchen-Hessler 06, when he was age 3, Ilkay Gundogan’s parents drove him to every game and training session and were always there for him.
Irfan and Ayten also taught him from an early age how to act independently and responsibly. This is why he behaves so maturely – to date.
Ilkay started in the youth team of VfL Bochum, where he learned his skills and developed as a player. He was very gifted, and so he got many offers from clubs in Germany and Europe.
His play attracted interest from FC Nurnberg, Dortmund and then Manchester City, which he currently plays for at the time of writing this Biography. The rest, as they say, is now history.
Ilkay Gundogan Sila Sahin Love Story:
When Manchester City sealed the deal for Ilkay Gundogan, many city fans felt happy for one reason.
“Because of His Girlfriend” They were happy he would be bringing along his stunning girlfriend and WAG Sila Sahin (pictured below). Ilkay Gundogan’s Girlfriend – Sila Sahin, is no doubt a lady of enamoured beauty.
Both lovebirds are long-term partners. However, Gundogan is five years younger than his girlfriend, who was born on the 3rd day of December 1985 in Spandau, Berlin.
The sizzling hot actress caused a storm in 2011 after posing for a cover shoot for a P-Boy magazine.
Ideally, she became the first Turkish woman to appear in the front of a P-Boy magazine.
The photo describes a new dimension of her personality. It showcases her fitness as second to none. Here is the unrivalled fitness of Sila Sahin.
Ilkay Gundogan’s Personal Life away from football:
Ilkay Gundogan has the following attributes to his personality.
Ilkay Gundogan’s Strengths: He is Resourceful, brave, and passionate. Finally, a true friend and role model to younger footballers, the likes of Micah Hamilton, Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz.
Ilkay Gundogan’s Weaknesses: He could be jealous and secretive.
What Ilkay Gundogan likes: He likes Truth, facts, being right and hanging out with longtime friends.
What Ilkay Gundogan dislikes: He dislikes dishonesty, revealing secrets and passive people.
Ilkay Gundogan Family Life:
Starting off, Ilkay Gundogan initially came from a middle-class family before football investments paid off.
The City Legend wouldn’t have been where he is today if not for his granddad, who migrated from Turkey to Germany.
After his granddad had found a new job and homeland in Germany, his grandmother, uncle and father also moved from Turkey to the German Ruhr region, where they all first worked as miners in the Nordstern mine in Gelsenkirchen.
Here are Ilkay Gundogan’s parents, Mr Irfan Gundogan (father) and Ayten Gundogan (mother).
His uncle, at the time of writing this Bio, still works in the Prosper mine in Bottrop. Unfortunately, hardly finds the time and chance to visit his hometown of Balikesir in Turkey.
Instead, he prefers Instabul, which is really important to him thanks to its range of cultures.
Family and home are very important to Ilkay Gundogan. He is extremely grateful to my parents for all the support they have given me from the beginning. Also is his uncle, who still remains one of the most important people in his life.
Ilkay Gundogan’s Brother:
The Man City Legend has a brother named Ilker Gündogan, who supports him in all aspects of his career. just like my brother.
Ilker sees things critically when others praise his brother and stands by his brother when things aren’t going to plan.
Gündoğan also has a cousin named Naz Aydemir. Naz is a volleyball player for Vakıfbank and is currently with the Turkish women’s national team as at the time of writing.
Ilkay Gundogan’s Wife:
Gündoğan married Sara Arfaoui in 2022, the season he won the UEFA Champions League. Both Sara and Gundogan have one child, born in 2023. Baby Kais Gundogan was born on the day after Manchester City’s Champions League win over RB Leipzig.
Team Mate Respect:
Manchester City’s players once made a decision to pay a unique tribute to injured midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.
Shockingly, Ilkay Gundogan met with a high degree of confusion when he observed players wearing his shirt.
They all wore Ilkay Gundogan’s number eight shirt back-to-front as they walked out onto the Etihad pitch ahead of their home match with Arsenal. He was forced to jokingly reassure fans that he had not died.
Road to Recovery:
We present to you a short summary of his work ethic – one that he uses to gain fitness and sharpness.
Gundoga believes being fit is about being better than you used to be.
Ilkay Gundogan Religion:
Research indicates that İlkay Gündoğan is a Muslim who is deeply connected with the Muslim community in Germany, Manchester (England), and Spain. He serves as a role model for many Muslims, particularly young kids, especially in Germany. Gündoğan strives to connect with them, offering guidance and setting positive examples for their lives. He grew up alongside many of these children who often lacked the same support system from family and friends, not only in football but in all aspects of life.
A New Stadium:
Upon visiting his hometown in Turkey, his Deputy Mayor Yilmaz, Cemal Ergenç gave him a shocker which left Gundogan all in his usual smiles.
Mayor Yilmaz expressed that his hometown citizens are proud of the famous football player in Ilkay. Yilmaz announced that they will henceforth give the name “Ilkay Gündoğan Stadium” to their new stadium. This is meant to encourage people to emulate the hardworking potential in Ilkay.
This gift was meant for the acceleration of the process and Youth and Sports, as Deputy Mayor Yilmaz, Cemal Ergenç, explained to İlkay Gündoğan in the presence of his dad.
Deputy Mayor Yilmaz, Cemal Ergenç, unleashed a surprise on Gundogan.
Loved by Klopp:
Jürgen Klopp, Gündoğan’s former coach at Borussia Dortmund, described Gündoğan as an “complete player, intelligent midfielder with numerous sporting strengths”.
Although Gündoğan had a tough start at Dortmund, where he admitted “things hadn’t gone as well as I had thought”, his “willingness to learn” and “great attitude”, according to Klopp, have allowed him to play a pivotal role in his career.
He was able to fit into any team by combining creativity and outstanding passing with the defensive attributes and tireless energy needed.
Ilkay Gundogan Net Worth:
He is made for the premier league, which is thought to be the toughest football league in the world. His salary is $180,000 per week at the moment, which makes his net worth around $22 million.
Fact Check:
Thanks for reading our Ilkay Gundogan Childhood Story, plus untold biography facts. We strive for accuracy and fairness in our quest to deliver you German Football Stories.
Asides from Ilkay Gundogan’s bio, we have other related childhood biography stories for your reading pleasure. That of Bernd Leno, Sami Khedira and Thomas Muller will interest you.
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