Manchester City's Gvardiol swaps preseason beaches for battlefield in off-season ‘Commando Mission’
The 23-year-old centre-back signed up for an elite civilian program run by Commando Squad 9, a company known for turning military-style simulations into high-adrenaline holiday packages. Instead of sandy beaches and light drills, Gvardiol’s break was spent clad in full camouflage, traversing rugged terrain with an airsoft rifle in hand.
Tactical Training for a Tactical Defender
Gvardiol described the experience as “the ultimate mental and physical prep for the upcoming season,” using the multi-day challenge to sharpen focus and enhance mental resilience ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
“I’ve always wanted to know what it feels like to be part of a special forces team and complete a real commando mission,” he shared on Instagram alongside images of himself blending into natural landscapes, hiking across fields, and engaging in simulated tactical scenarios.
Gvardiol said he had always been curious about the demands of special forces training and saw the unique opportunity as a way to sharpen his mental resilience ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
The Commando Squad 9 packages, which start from £7,000, offer civilians an immersive experience in virtual warzones with full gear, team missions, and survival challenges, all staged in Gvardiol’s home country of Croatia.
Fans React to the Call of Duty-Inspired Offseason
Unsurprisingly, the Instagram post stirred buzz among fans and followers. One quipped, “The movie industry is calling…” while another joked, “You look like you’re straight out of Call of Duty.” A third wrote, “You chose the wrong profession bro,” and a fourth pleaded, “Get back to Manchester, we need you for the coming season!”
The adventure comes as Gvardiol enjoys an extended break following Manchester City's campaign at the Club World Cup earlier this month. While most Premier League teams are already back in pre-season training, City and Chelsea are expected to resume shortly. With Manchester City set to kick off their 2025/26 campaign against Wolves on August 16.
SportsLigue