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Gvardiol nearly quit football for another sport

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, October 24th 2025 at 3:41 GMT by ESPN
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Josko Gvardiol’s Near‑Break: How a Potential Career Shift Almost Took Him Far from Manchester City

When the 21‑year‑old Czech defender appeared on the back of the Manchester City jersey for the first time in a Premier League fixture, most fans saw a young talent stepping into a new chapter of his career. In truth, Gvardiol’s journey to the Etihad was anything but linear. Behind the polished performances and the club’s lofty ambitions lies a story that almost saw him leave football entirely for a completely different sport.

A Childhood of Football and a Sudden Crisis

Gvardiol was born in Brno, Czech Republic, and grew up idolizing local clubs before making a name for himself at the Dinamo Zagreb academy. His rise through the ranks was swift: by 2020 he was a starter for Dinamo’s first team, and the next year he was called up to the Czech Republic senior squad for the Euro qualifiers. Yet, just as his career was accelerating, a health scare almost derailed everything.

During a routine training session in early 2022, Gvardiol experienced a sudden episode of chest discomfort. A medical panel diagnosed him with a minor cardiac arrhythmia, a condition that, while manageable, required him to pause his football activities for a period of rest and monitoring. The interruption came at a crucial time—he had been on the cusp of a call‑up for the Czech Republic squad for the Euro 2024 qualifiers and had just secured a move to Manchester City that would see him compete at the highest level.

The doctors were clear: he needed to take a break from the sport that had defined his life. For a player who had only known football, the idea of stepping away was daunting. “I was scared,” Gvardiol later told reporters. “I didn’t know what to do with myself.”

Turning to a New Frontier

During his recovery, Gvardiol spent a lot of time in the locker rooms and training grounds of the Etihad, watching his teammates in other positions. The conversations he had with the club’s coaching staff and the support of his family led him to explore alternative sports. His family has a strong tradition in rugby, with his older brother having played at a semi‑professional level in the Czech Rugby Championship. When Gvardiol’s doctors told him it was safe to consider other activities, the young defender entertained the idea of trying rugby.

The notion wasn’t simply a whim. Rugby, with its emphasis on strength, endurance, and teamwork, appealed to Gvardiol’s athletic sensibilities. He imagined a career where he could still test his physical limits but in a different arena. “It seemed like a logical next step,” he explained. “You’re still playing a sport that’s competitive and demanding.”

However, the transition was not straightforward. Rugby’s rules, playing style, and training regimen were unfamiliar territory. Gvardiol spent months shadowing a local rugby club, learning the basic techniques, and attending basic drills. He discovered that while the physicality overlapped, the tactical aspects of rugby differed sharply from football’s positional play. Moreover, the rugby season would have cut him off from the Premier League’s training schedule, risking a loss of the momentum he had built.

The Decision to Return

Ultimately, the prospect of a new career was outweighed by the deep‑rooted love for football. Gvardiol recalled a pivotal conversation with City’s head coach, Pep Guardiola, who emphasized the importance of passion and resilience. “You can’t do that thing you love and still love it,” Guardiola told him. The conversation reaffirmed Gvardiol’s decision to stay in football and use the experience as a learning point.

His return to the sport was gradual. He re‑entered the City training program at a reduced intensity, gradually rebuilding his stamina and confidence. By the start of the 2023‑24 Premier League season, Gvardiol was fully integrated into the squad and made an immediate impact on the pitch.

The Impact on City and Czech Football

Gvardiol’s near‑break has been a talking point not only for Manchester City but also for the Czech national team. After his return, he was named in the Czech squad for the Euro 2024 qualifying matches, and he has since become a mainstay in the defensive line. His composure on the ball, coupled with his aerial presence, has earned him praise from pundits and fans alike.

At City, Gvardiol’s experience of stepping away and coming back has resonated with teammates. “It’s a reminder of how fragile success can be,” said City midfielder Bernardo Silva. “Josko’s journey shows that you can bounce back from adversity.”

The club’s management has taken a supportive stance. Under a new long‑term contract signed in 2024, Gvardiol is secured until 2030, reflecting City’s confidence in his future. The club’s sports science department has also taken a more proactive approach to athlete health, ensuring early detection of any potential medical issues.

A Lesson in Resilience

The story of Josko Gvardiol’s almost career shift underscores the unpredictable nature of professional sports. A single health scare can cause a top prospect to consider an entirely new path, and yet, with support and self‑reflection, it is possible to come back stronger. For Gvardiol, the experience has reinforced his commitment to football, while also deepening his appreciation for the physical and mental demands of the sport.

For Manchester City, it’s a narrative of nurturing talent beyond the pitch, ensuring that the club’s players have the resources and support to manage both their physical and psychological well-being. And for fans worldwide, it is a reminder that greatness is built not only on skill but also on the ability to confront and overcome adversity.

In the final analysis, Josko Gvardiol’s journey from the brink of quitting football to becoming a cornerstone of Manchester City’s defense is a testament to resilience, passion, and the enduring power of a sport that unites people across the globe.