Man City hero Ilkay Gundogan finally receives FA Cup medal after missing out to little-known star who didn’t make squad
ILKAY GUNDOGAN is aiming for a winners’ medal in Saturday’s Champions League final – he was denied a medal on the Wembley balcony.
Captain and player of the match Gundogan and fellow Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne failed to get their gongs from Prince William after beating United 2-1 in the FA Cup final.
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The Prince of Wales then appeared to explain to the couple that he had run out on the two.
Goalkeeper Ederson later passed a medal to De Bruyne in celebration, but two-goal hero Gundogan missed the chance entirely.
Instead, the official photos featured Spain left-back Sergio Gomez, who wasn’t even in the squad and wore a medal.
On the final day of the cup, teams will receive 20 medals for the starting XI and nine substitutes, plus one for the manager.
Clubs are given an extra medal of 19 to ensure all staff receive a medal – including players who are not in the matchday squad – and Gundogan received his medal later in the day.
After winning the second trophy in two weeks, he said: “Now comes the one we really want.”
The City captain also played a key role in their Prem triumph, scoring back-to-back goals against both Leeds and Everton.
But he admitted the Champions League is the one they crave the most – as they prepare to face Inter Milan in Istanbul.
Gündogan said: “What we have achieved in the last few months is great and of course we already have two titles. But we know we want this one more than anyone before – and that’s our goal for next week.”
When asked if he was doing strength training to lift all that silverware, he smiled, “My arms are naturally a little pumped up. I feel privileged! So no additional effort is required.
“But that feels great, it’s special to lift this trophy and I hope I can do it again.”
Gundogan, 32, is now looking to agree a new contract with City to stay on past the end of this season.
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The German, who scored the fastest goal in FA Cup final history after 12 seconds, knows what City must do to beat Inter.
He added: “It’s about doing the same things that we’ve been doing for the last two weeks. We don’t have to do anything special.
“The simplicity of our work makes us special. It’s about making an effort in training, preparing as best you can and winning the game.”
