Josko Gvardiol’s journey from a frustrated teenager in Zagreb to the world’s most expensive defender is nothing short of remarkable.
The Manchester City star was once on the verge of giving up football altogether, only to find himself, years later, lifting the Premier League trophy and making history.
Gvardiol’s early days were far from glamorous. Growing up in Croatia, he spent his mornings helping his father, a fishmonger, at the market.
Despite his love for football, the young defender found himself stuck on the bench in Dinamo Zagreb’s youth team, with his dreams of becoming a professional slipping further away.
At one point, Gvardiol even considered abandoning football to work full-time in the family business.
In a candid interview with The Times, Gvardiol recalled those tough times: “I was 16 or 17 and still on the bench in the youth teams.
I was frustrated and, at one moment, I was thinking to leave football. By the way, I hate fish. Imagine being 16-years old and there’s only fish to eat every day at home. I want to try something else.”
But just as Gvardiol was about to throw in the towel, his fortunes changed. Dinamo Zagreb’s coaches finally recognized his talent, and within a year, he had moved from the youth bench to the club’s second team.
Six months later, he was playing alongside future RB Leipzig star Dani Olmo in Dinamo’s first team.
Gvardiol’s rise was rapid. After a standout season with Zagreb, he caught the attention of European clubs. RB Leipzig acted quickly, signing him ahead of Leeds United, who were also interested in bringing the youn
g defender to the Premier League. Although Leeds’ Marcelo Bielsa was keen on him, Gvardiol knew he needed more time to develop before making the leap to England’s top flight.
Gvardiol’s stock continued to rise after his performances at the 2022 World Cup, where he helped Croatia reach the semi-finals. Although Argentina’s Lionel Messi gave him a tough time in the tournament, Gvardiol’s reputation only grew stronger.
Chelsea made a £70 million bid for him in January 2023, and while Gvardiol was eager to join the Blues, RB Leipzig refused to let him go.
But it was Manchester City who would eventually secure Gvardiol’s services in the summer of 2023, signing him for a record-breaking £77 million, with the deal expected to surpass £80 million with add-ons.
This move made Gvardiol the most expensive defender in football history, surpassing the fee Manchester United paid for Harry Maguire in 2019.
Looking back, Gvardiol’s decision to stick with football instead of returning to the fish market proved to be life-changing.
From considering a future of early mornings selling fish in Zagreb to becoming a Premier League champion, Gvardiol’s story is one of resilience, talent, and the power of never giving up on your dreams.
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