Exclusive Sara Gundogan says that she was shocked when learning of Ilkay Gundogan’s relocation to Barcelona

'Married To The Game,' a new docuseries on Prime Video, stars Sara Gundogan.She talked candidly on Ilkay Gundogan's transfer from Manchester City to Barcelona.When is it OK to end a game early? Take a listen to the podcast It's All Kicking Off.

David Brown

February 13, 2024

Sara Gundogan said last summer that she was taken aback to learn that Ilkay Gundogan was joining Barcelona.

Sara, who was once Sara Arfaoui, began dating the German and Barcelona player in 2021, and the two got married the following year. Kais, their joint kid, was born in March of 2023.

Sara is a star of the new series Married To The Game on Prime Video, which explores what it’s really like to date a professional football player by following the lives of five WAGS. After his contract with Man City expired, Ilkay joined the Catalan giants, beating out numerous other teams, including City’s attempts to hold onto the 33-year-old.

And Sara, who before dating Ilkay was a very successful TV host and model, disclosed that she wasn’t expecting the midfield player to make the decision and that she was on vacation when she learned of the situation.

When Sara Gundogan learned that Ilkay was joining Barcelona, she said she was astonished. Sara stated that she didn’t believe the rumors and that she was on vacation when she learned of the news. Ilkay left Man City after an incredibly successful seven-year tenure to join the Catalan giants.

“I wasn’t really convinced by those rumors (of joining Barcelona),” said the 9’0People would always come to me with rumors in every transfer market between the summer and January.

“You’re coming to Italy?” was a question that some people had even texted me, but I never took them seriously.I said “no” when friends texted me to say I was coming back. It simply took place. The ironic thing is that I didn’t give it much thought.I thought, “No, it can’t be; my spouse has lived in Manchester for a long time, and I don’t see this happening.”

“I was in Italy, and it was holiday time,” she added. I went to see all of my pals on my first holiday with my baby. I was, in other words, a little bit in my “baby bubble.”And “we are going there” was the message on the phone that I just received. I wasn’t giving it any thought. I’m not sure if it came as a shock. Therefore, it took me some time to realize what was going on.

Sara continued by saying that although she was taken aback by the decision, she did provide Ilkay some guidance in evaluating his options and conveyed her admiration for his courage.