12.10.2026 10:30
İlkay Gündoğan, who made headlines at Galatasaray after the Kasımpaşa match with the words "I'm not playing, so why should I be ready?", put an end to claims that he would leave. The star footballer, denying the transfer rumors, said, "I want to stay here after the winter transfer window as well and give my all to win another championship with Galatasaray."
İlkay Gündoğan, who drew attention with his statement after the match in which Galatasaray defeated Kasımpaşa 3-1, responded to the departure claims about him. Speaking to the Spanish press before the Champions League match to be played against Barcelona, the experienced midfielder used clear statements regarding his future at the yellow-red team.
HE PUT AN END TO THE DEPARTURE CLAIMS
In statements to the Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, İlkay Gündoğan denied rumors that he would leave Galatasaray during the mid-season transfer window.
The star footballer said, "The transfer rumors are not true. After the winter transfer window, I want to stay here and give everything to win another championship with Galatasaray."
BOLD WORDS AHEAD OF THE BARCELONA MATCH
Also assessing the match they will play against Barcelona in the Champions League, İlkay Gündoğan said they must be effective both in defense and attack against the Spanish giants.
The experienced footballer said, "We will give everything to beat Barcelona. It will be an intense and high-quality match. It cannot be done by only defending. We will play against the best team in Europe. In fact, we will play against the clear favorite of the Champions League. We must defend flawlessly and be brave when we have the ball."
HE HEAPED PRAISE ON LAMINE YAMAL
Also speaking about Lamine Yamal, with whom he previously played at Barcelona, Gündoğan drew attention to the young star's talent and maturity on the pitch.
İlkay said, "From Lamine Yamal's first training session with us, it was very clear that he had incredible talent. However, the maturity and consistency he has shown on the world stage at such a young age are simply astonishing. He plays with a rare ease."
"I'M NOT PLAYING, SO WHY SHOULD I BE READY?" HE HAD SAID
İlkay Gündoğan had made headlines with his response after the match in which Galatasaray defeated Kasımpaşa 3-1. When asked after the match, "Are you ready for the Barcelona match?", the star footballer's reply, "I'm not playing, so why should I be ready?", drew attention. After this statement, İlkay Gündoğan, who has been associated with departure claims, clearly stated in his latest interview that he wants to stay at Galatasaray.