Kyle Walker has confessed that his decision to leave Manchester City and join AC Milan on loan in January 2025 was selfish. The former club captain reflected honestly on his move, saying:
Looking back, I shouldn’t have left, but for the first time in my career, I was selfish.
The England international made the switch after struggling for game time under Pep Guardiola, admitting that frustration and a desire to play regularly influenced his choice. Walker later joined Burnley in the summer of 2025 after AC Milan opted not to make the loan deal permanent. In his own words from a video posted on the Sky Sports News official X account, he explained:
Should I have left? Looking back at it now, probably no. I should’ve stuck next to my teammates and friends and people I classed as my family. But for the first time, I thought about myself. I wanted to play football.
Burnley manager Scott Parker, who was happy about the signing, as reported by Softfootball, later described signing Walker as a major boost, praising his leadership and Premier League-winning experience.
Walker admitted that although he missed his Manchester City teammates, he needed the change to rediscover his passion for the game. He said:
I wasn’t happy sitting on the bench and getting a game here and there whenever I could. I felt that I still had a point to prove. When a club like AC Milan comes, I didn’t think I could turn it down.
Kyle Walker’s admission of selfishness in leaving Manchester City mid-season for AC Milan highlights a rare moment of self-reflection for a professional athlete, challenging the narrative that such moves are solely career-driven; his regret stems from abandoning his team during a difficult period, a decision that contrasts with the typical expectation of loyalty in team sports.
Watch the video below:
