The two had previously resided in the same building in Manchester and maintained a close friendship off the pitch.
Gündogan, who recently retired from the German national team, made over 300 appearances for City between 2016 and 2023. During his time with City, he secured 12 major titles, including five Premier League championships and one Champions League.
City was eager for him to remain last summer, but he left on a free transfer. Despite offers from several clubs and interest from Arsenal, Gündogan chose to join Barcelona.
He appeared in 51 matches across all competitions last season but was permitted to leave the club to help resolve their financial difficulties following the signing of Dani Olmo from RB Leipzig.
Piqué commented on Gündogan’s departure, noting that he joined Barcelona without a transfer fee and persuaded Manchester City to let him fulfill his childhood ambition. Gündogan excelled at Barcelona, setting records for assists and key passes in Europe, surpassing prominent players like Kroos and De Bruyne.
Piqué praised Gündogan for his dedication to Barcelona, highlighting that he made a significant sacrifice by leaving his remaining two contract years to support the club financially. Gündogan’s contributions, both as a player and captain, have left a lasting impact, and his memorable year at Barcelona will be cherished by fans and the club alike.
