“I had the feeling that looks were stricter,” says Gündogan about his Turkish roots

Former national soccer team captain İlkay Gündoğan recalled his family's guest worker history with moving words. He also calls for more social cohesion and a confident approach to cultural diversity.

"Don't allow yourself to be pigeonholed. Use the diversity you have within you as a strength and opportunity," the 36-year-old appealed to the next generation. When it comes to living together in Germany, he would like to see “more real togetherness and less division.”

Gündogan himself has experienced prejudice due to his Turkish roots. “There were a few moments when I had the feeling that the looks or evaluations were more severe,” reported the Galatasaray Istanbul midfielder.

However, that spurred him on even more. “Both – my German and my Turkish influences – are part of my identity and have shaped me as an athlete and person,” said the former national player.

According to Gündogan, the life of his grandfather Ismail illustrates how much courage and perseverance there is in his own family history. He came to the Ruhr area in 1973 as part of the German-Turkish recruitment agreement. The agreement was concluded on October 30, 1961 - exactly 65 years ago - to alleviate the labor shortage in the Federal Republic.

According to the Federal Agency for Civic Education, around 870,000 workers came to Germany from Turkey until the recruitment stop in November 1973. About half a million people declined during the same period.

"The story of my grandparents and parents is the foundation of everything I am today. My grandfather came to the Ruhr area with little more than a suitcase and the firm will to give his children a better life," said Gündogan. "Even if our worlds are different at first glance, we have the same core in common: hard work, courage, adaptability and the willingness to give everything for your dream. Without his courage back then, I wouldn't be here today."

Gündogan was born in Gelsenkirchen in 1990, won the championship with Borussia Dortmund, the Champions League with Manchester City and led the national team onto the field as captain at the 2024 European Championships in Germany. Gündogan ended his national team career following the tournament.

“Gelsenkirchen and the Ruhr area have shaped my attitude: what counts here is cohesion; here we don’t look at where you come from, but rather how you get involved and whether your heart is in the right place,” he said.

The European Championships in Germany were particularly emotional for him. “When you hear the national anthem in front of your own family and know the path my grandfather began as a guest worker decades ago and that his grandson is now captain of the German national team, you come full circle.”

Gündogan also wants to pass on his family's history to his own children. They should be proud of their roots and understand that prosperity cannot be taken for granted. “You stand on the shoulders of people who worked hard in the mining industry.”

Gündogan is currently under contract with Galatasaray, but no longer plays a major sporting role there. He has only made four short appearances this season. He was not used in the 2-1 derby win against Fenerbahçe on Monday evening.

In an interview with “Zeit”, Gündogan recently revealed his plan for the time after his active career. "I would like to work as a coach. I have seen what coaches can do," he said. "Ultimately, my former coach Pep Guardiola planted the idea in me. I recognized my future role in his role." Guardiola coached Gündogan during his time at Manchester City.