Ilkay Gundogan ‘will miss Germany’s friendlies in March after wife Sara gives birth’
Ilkay Gundogan will miss Germany’s friendlies in March after wife Sara gives birth to their first son Kais just a day after the Man City skipper scored in his side’s 7-0 Champions League mauling of RB Leipzig
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Ilkay Gundogan became a parent on Wednesday evening after his wife gave birth to their first son, Kais, with his child’s birth thought to be the reason behind his expected omission from Hansi Flick’s Germany squad.
The Manchester City skipper‘s wife, Sara, took to Instagram to share the news with the couple’s combined 5.6million followers with pictures of the couple and their recently-born child.
The pair were married in 2022, with the announcement of Sara’s pregnancy coming five months later in November. A joint Instagram post after Kais’ birth was accompanied by the caption: ‘Our love is here. Kais Gundogan 15.03.23.’
Sky Sport Germany’s Florian Plettenburg reported on Monday that Gundogan would not be part of the upcoming Germany squad, although rather than as a result of underwhelming showings in Qatar, the reason was thought to be Sara’s pregnancy.
Plettenburg also reported that an agreement was made between the player and Flick that he would not take part in the March friendlies with Peru and Belgium, but he is thought to be part of the boss’ plans for the future.
Manchester City skipper Ilkay Gundogan became a father for the first time on Wednesday evening
Gundogan’s wife Sara gave birth to their first child – Kais – the day after City’s 7-0 Champions League win
‘There was a phone call with Flick,’ wrote Plettenburg, on Twitter. ‘Both agreed that he would not be nominated in March.
‘Main reason: Ilkay will become a father for the first time in the next few days. Still a top relation with Flick. He wants to continue with Germany.’
And Gungodan’s team-mates were quick to congratulate their captain, with Jack Grealish writing ‘Congrats,’ and Phil Foden echoing the sentiment by commenting ‘Congratulations’.
City also added their own message, writing: ‘Congratulations!’ followed by blue and white love hearts in the club’s colours.
German team-mate Jerome Boateng also sent his own message, adding: Congratulations bro, hope all is well with the family.’
Kais’ birth came just a day after his father’s side beat Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig 7-0 (8-1 on aggregate), courtesy of five goals from Erling Haaland.
Erling Haaland broke records with his five goals as he became the youngest to reach 30 goals in the Champions League
Gundogan’s team-mates for club and country were quick to congratulate him becoming a father for the first time
The Norwegian once again broke records as he became the club’s all-time top scorer for a single season in registering his 39th strike of the 2022-23 campaign.
Haaland broke Kylian Mbappe’s record for the youngest player to ever reach the 30-goal mark in the Champions League, and will now surely have his eyes set on Cristiano Ronaldo’s all-time record in the competition.
He also picked up a 10/10 rating from notorious French outlet L’Equipe, becoming just the second player after Messi to receive the honour twice in his career.
Gundogan was on the scoresheet as well, netting just after half-time in the 49th minute to make it 4-0 after a flowing City move resulted in a pass by Jack Grealish, which the German converted into the bottom corner with his left boot.
Gundogan scored in Man City’s 7-0 hammering of RB Leipzig on Wednesday in the Champions League
A brace from the German midfielder on the final day of the 2021-22 season secured the Premier League title
Gundogan is the second-longest serving member of the Man City squad, having signed 11 months after team-mate Kevin de Bruyne in July 2016 as the first transfer of the Pep Guardiola era.
In the ensuing six-and-a-half years the German international has won four Premier Leagues, and FA Cup and four Carabao Cup titles.
During that period, he has had a hand in 90 goals from 290 appearances – 53 goals and 27 assists – including a brace to win City the title on the last day of 2021-22 in their 3-2 comeback win over Aston Villa.
He is out of contract at the end of the season, and has been linked with a move to Barcelona, with the Citizens reportedly open to allowing him to leave with little progress being made in negotiations, as per the Manchester Evening News.
