İlkay Gündoğan in 2026: Net worth and Salary, Transfer, Wife, Religion, Retirement, Ethnicity and FAQs

İlkay Gündoğan entered 2026 as one of the most experienced midfielders in European football. After trophy-filled years with Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City, a season at Barcelona and a return to England, he finally moved to Galatasaray in September 2025. The transfer carried extra meaning because Türkiye is the homeland of his parents and Galatasaray had long been part of his family's football culture. By 2026, Gündoğan was 35, still playing at club level, but already retired from international football with Germany. Away from football, he had built a family with his wife, Sara Arfaoui, and welcomed a third child in April 2026. This profile looks at his estimated net worth, salary, transfer, wife, religion, retirement, ethnicity and the questions fans most often search about him.

İlkay Gündoğan Profile 

Who is İlkay Gündoğan?

İlkay Gündoğan is a German professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Galatasaray. He was born in Gelsenkirchen on 24 October 1990 to Turkish parents and grew up in one of Germany's most football-focused regions.

Gündoğan built his reputation as an intelligent midfielder rather than a player who depended only on speed or physical power. He can control tempo, find spaces between lines and arrive late in the penalty area. Those qualities helped him become important for Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City, Barcelona and Germany.

His first major success came at Dortmund, where he won the Bundesliga and German Cup. Manchester City signed him in 2016, making him Pep Guardiola's first signing at the club. He later became captain and lifted the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League during the treble-winning 2022/23 season.

After one year at Barcelona and a return to City, Gündoğan joined Galatasaray on a free transfer in September 2025.

İlkay Gündoğan Net Worth and Salary in 2026

Icon Polls estimates İlkay Gündoğan's net worth in 2026 at between $46 million and $49 million. This is an editorial estimate based on his long career earnings, major club contracts, bonuses, sponsorship income and years of Champions League football. His private financial records have not been released.

Galatasaray officially announced that Gündoğan would receive €4.5 million net for the 2026/27 season. Gross-salary estimates place the equivalent fixed amount at about €5.63 million per year, or roughly €108,000 per week before bonuses.

That salary is lower than some of the figures associated with his peak Manchester City years, but it remains a major contract for a 35-year-old midfielder.

His financial position reflects almost two decades at the highest level. Gündoğan has played for clubs in Germany, England, Spain and Türkiye and has been part of teams that won major domestic and European trophies.

İlkay Gündoğan Transfer to Galatasaray

Galatasaray signed Gündoğan from Manchester City on 2 September 2025. The transfer was completed without a fee because he left City on a free transfer.

The move carried personal meaning. Gündoğan was born in Germany, but his parents are Turkish and he has often spoken about his connection to Türkiye. Playing in Istanbul gave him the chance to experience the country's biggest football stage directly.

He signed a two-year agreement covering the 2025/26 and 2026/27 seasons. Galatasaray announced a net guaranteed salary of €4.5 million for each season.

The move was also practical. At 34 when he signed, Gündoğan wanted regular football and a competitive environment. Galatasaray offered league-title ambitions and Champions League football.

By 2026, he remained a current Galatasaray player and an important senior presence in midfield.

İlkay Gündoğan Transfer Value in 2026

İlkay Gündoğan's market value was estimated at about €2 million in May 2026. That is far below the values attached to him during his Manchester City peak, but age is the main reason.

Transfer value does not measure career quality. Gündoğan is 35 and has only one year left on his Galatasaray contract, so his resale value is naturally limited.

For Galatasaray, his value comes more from experience, control and leadership than from the possibility of a future sale.

He arrived on a free transfer, which meant the club did not need to recover a large transfer fee. The real investment was his salary and the role he was expected to play in the squad.

At this stage of his career, performance matters more than market value.

İlkay Gündoğan Wife and Children

İlkay Gündoğan is married to Sara Arfaoui, an Italian model, actress and television personality. The couple married in 2022 after beginning their relationship publicly the previous year.

They welcomed their first child, a son named Kais, in 2023. Their daughter Ella was born in 2025.

In April 2026, Gündoğan and Sara welcomed their third child, another son named Kian. Galatasaray publicly congratulated the couple after the birth.

Sara has followed Gündoğan through several club moves, including Manchester, Barcelona and Istanbul. The family has become an important part of his life as he approaches the later years of his career.

Although the couple is visible on social media, they still keep many details of their children and home life private.

İlkay Gündoğan Religion

İlkay Gündoğan is Muslim. He has spoken publicly about coming from a Muslim family and has discussed the importance of that background.

During the 2022 World Cup, he said that he came from a Muslim family and described the tournament in Qatar as meaningful for many Muslims.

His Turkish family roots are closely connected to that part of his identity, although Gündoğan generally avoids making religion a constant public topic.

He has also supported charity and food-distribution projects connected to Ramadan. These actions fit with the public statements he has made about his faith.

The clearest description is that Gündoğan is Muslim, while the details of how he personally practises his faith remain private.

İlkay Gündoğan Retirement

İlkay Gündoğan has retired from international football, but he has not retired from club football.

He announced his retirement from the Germany national team on 19 August 2024 after 82 senior appearances and 19 goals. His final major tournament was Euro 2024, where he captained Germany.

The decision ended an international career that had begun in 2011. Gündoğan explained that he was proud of representing Germany and felt the time had come to step away.

Club football continued. He returned to Manchester City after leaving Barcelona and then joined Galatasaray in 2025.

As of 2026, he remains an active professional player under contract until June 2027. Retirement questions are natural because of his age, but there is no confirmed announcement that he will stop playing when the current season ends.

İlkay Gündoğan Ethnicity and Family Origin

Gündoğan was born in Germany to Turkish parents. His family moved to Germany from Türkiye before he was born, with his grandfather arriving as part of the generation of Turkish workers who settled in the country.

That makes Gündoğan German by nationality and Turkish by ethnic and family background.

He has always spoken openly about both sides of his identity. Germany is the country where he was born, educated and developed as a footballer. Türkiye is the homeland of his parents and an important part of his family life.

He represented Germany throughout his senior international career and became captain of the national team.

His move to Galatasaray in 2025 made the connection even more visible. For the first time in his senior club career, he was playing professionally in his parents' country.

İlkay Gündoğan Career Journey

Gündoğan's youth career included Hessler 06, Schalke 04, SSV Buer and Bochum before he moved into senior football with Nürnberg.

Borussia Dortmund signed him in 2011. Under Jürgen Klopp, he developed into one of Germany's best midfielders and helped the club win domestic trophies and reach the 2013 Champions League final.

Manchester City signed him in 2016. His seven-year first spell became the defining period of his club career. He won five Premier League titles and captained City to the treble in 2023.

Barcelona signed him on a free transfer in 2023. After one season in Spain, he returned to Manchester City in 2024.

Galatasaray became the next chapter in September 2025. By then, Gündoğan had already won almost every major club honour available in English football.

Frequently Asked Questions About İlkay Gündoğan

1. How old is İlkay Gündoğan in 2026?

He is 35 years old and turns 36 on 24 October 2026.

2. What is İlkay Gündoğan's net worth in 2026?

Icon Polls estimates his net worth at between $46 million and $49 million.

3. What is İlkay Gündoğan's salary at Galatasaray?

Galatasaray officially announced a net guaranteed salary of €4.5 million for the 2026/27 season.

4. What is İlkay Gündoğan's estimated gross salary?

His estimated gross fixed salary is about €5.63 million per year, excluding bonuses.

5. Which club does İlkay Gündoğan play for?

He plays for Galatasaray in the Turkish Süper Lig.

6. When did İlkay Gündoğan join Galatasaray?

He joined Galatasaray from Manchester City on 2 September 2025.

7. Did Galatasaray pay a transfer fee for İlkay Gündoğan?

No. He joined on a free transfer.

8. When does İlkay Gündoğan's contract expire?

His Galatasaray contract expires on 30 June 2027.

9. What is İlkay Gündoğan's transfer value in 2026?

His market value was estimated at about €2 million in May 2026.

10. Who is İlkay Gündoğan's wife?

His wife is Sara Arfaoui, an Italian model, actress and television personality.

11. When did İlkay Gündoğan get married?

He married Sara Arfaoui in 2022.

12. How many children does İlkay Gündoğan have?

He and Sara have three children: Kais, Ella and Kian.

13. What religion is İlkay Gündoğan?

He is Muslim and has publicly spoken about coming from a Muslim family.

14. Is İlkay Gündoğan Turkish?

He is German by nationality and has Turkish family and ethnic roots.

15. Where were İlkay Gündoğan's parents born?

His parents are from Türkiye.

16. Where was İlkay Gündoğan born?

He was born in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.

17. What nationality is İlkay Gündoğan?

He is German.

18. What is İlkay Gündoğan's ethnicity?

He is of Turkish ethnicity and family background.

19. Has İlkay Gündoğan retired?

He has retired from international football but remains active at club level.

20. When did İlkay Gündoğan retire from Germany?

He announced his Germany retirement on 19 August 2024.

21. How many times did İlkay Gündoğan play for Germany?

He earned 82 senior caps and scored 19 goals.

22. Did İlkay Gündoğan captain Germany?

Yes. He captained Germany at Euro 2024.

23. Did İlkay Gündoğan win the Champions League?

Yes. He captained Manchester City to the UEFA Champions League title in 2023.

24. What are İlkay Gündoğan's main strengths?

His main strengths are passing, positioning, controlling tempo, late runs into the penalty area, leadership and tactical intelligence.

İlkay Gündoğan's 2026 story is about experience, identity and one more challenge before the end of a remarkable career. He has already retired from Germany duty, but he remains an active Galatasaray midfielder with a contract through 2027. His move to Türkiye brought him closer to his family roots, while his wife Sara and their three children now form the centre of his life away from football. At 35, his market value is naturally low, but his football intelligence and leadership remain valuable. Icon Polls will continue to follow his salary, retirement decision, family life and final years in professional football.