Gundogan’s Candid Comments Spark Controversy After Barcelona’s Win

After FC Barcelona’s recent friendly match at the MetLife Stadium, Ilkay Gundogan has found himself in hot water for allegedly criticizing his teammates. Following the game, which Barcelona won 2-0 against an impressive Real Madrid side, Gundogan was overheard talking to Real Madrid player Arda Guler.

It seems Gundogan wasn’t entirely pleased with how his teammates performed, as he reportedly said, «They don’t play with the brain. If they play with the brain… they don’t use it. Look at how many turnovers they’ve had in the last 15 minutes.» His remarks, caught on video, have raised eyebrows among fans and players alike.

The German international, who has Turkish roots, spoke in his mother tongue during the conversation. His words have raised concerns about how they will be received back at Barcelona, especially considering this isn’t the first time he has expressed disappointment with his teammates.

Previously, Gundogan mentioned in an interview how upset he was about his colleagues not taking a defeat seriously enough. He voiced a desire for “more anger, frustration, and disappointment” after tough games.

Furthermore, back in April, Gundogan criticized his colleague Araujo after the latter received a red card during a match, which led to Barcelona losing their lead in a crucial Champions League tie.

While some may interpret Gundogan’s comments as harsh, a Reddit user pointed out that the phrase «brainless» isn’t necessarily as offensive in Turkish as it sounds in English. In Turkey, it’s commonly used to describe low football IQ rather than to call someone an idiot.