Gundogan ‘unbelievably proud’ to play CL final in ‘homeland’

Manchester City's FA Cup victory on Saturday leaves Ilkay Gundogan and company one win away from completing a much sought-after treble as the Premier League victors will face Inter Milan in Champions League final on June 10.

With City aiming to become only the second English club to complete the treble, and emulate Manchester United's 1999 feat, Gundogan's focus quickly switched to the showdown in Istanbul against Inter Milan.

"[Turkiye is] the homeland of my parents [so to] be able to play in this final, it naturally makes me unbelievably proud. My family are looking forward to it, my friends are looking forward to it, and, of course, I am also looking forward to it very much," Gundogan said during an interview with UEFA.

Gundogan, whose brace in a 2-1 win against cross-town rivals Manchester United included the fastest goal ever scored in FA Cup final history when he netted after just 12 seconds. has been an unsung hero this season for City behind goal-scoring machine Erling Haaland.

"Getting to the final for the second time in three years, it's already a great achievement, and I feel that now we have to do it. And this is the target for next week," Gundogan had said after the FA Cup victory.