Ilkay Gundogan to wear No.22 Barcelona jersey in tribute to his former club FC Nurnberg
For over a decade, Gundogan represented the No. 8 shirt at Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City. Nevertheless, he was required to redefine his numerical identity on joining Barcelona, as promising Spanish midfielder Pedri had already claimed the No. 8 shirt.
In Short
- Ilkay Gundogan connected No.22 to his stint with FC Nurnberg
- Gundogan wore No.8 during his time at Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City
- Gundogan couldn't claim No.8 at Barcelona as Pedri owns it
Ilkay Gundogan has revealed the significance behind his decision to sport Barcelona's No. 22 jersey. This comes as a significant move from his long-established association with the No. 8 jersey.
The revelation was made through a tweet, in which Gundogan connected the number 22 to his fruitful stint with Bundesliga's FC Nurnberg. The seasoned footballer expressed his nostalgia for his past and optimism for his future with Barcelona, stating, "My old and new jersey number 22. Good memories from the past... and now confident about a successful season with [Barcelona] ahead."
This disclosure follows a period of rampant speculation and conjecture regarding Gundogan's chosen number at the Spanish elite club. The 32-year-old sported the No. 14 shirt during the pre-season, stirring rumours that he may inherit the iconic No. 5 jersey from departing midfield stalwart, Sergio Busquets. However, declaring allegiance to his roots, Gundogan selected the No. 22 jersey, reminiscent of his big break with FC Nurnberg in 2009.
For over a decade, Gundogan represented the No. 8 shirt at Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City. Nevertheless, he was required to redefine his numerical identity on joining Barcelona, as promising Spanish midfielder Pedri had already claimed the No. 8 shirt.
As Barcelona prepare to kickstart their 2023-24 LaLiga campaign against Getafe, there is significant uncertainty regarding Gundogan's role within Xavi's dynamic midfield assembly.
With elite footballers like Gavi, Pedri, Frenkie de Jong and Oriol Romeu vying for the top spots, it remains to be seen how the former Manchester City star will fit into Barcelona's starting lineup. As the team prepares to show its mettle, fans and analysts alike eagerly await to see how the convoluted puzzle of Barcelona’s opening day XI comes together.
