While the majority of footballers spend their off-seasons either relaxing on a beach or engaging in light training, Josko Gvardiol decided to pursue a completely different path: become a full-fledged action hero.
Prior to the 2025/26 season, the Manchester City defender joined a “real-life commando mission” in Croatia – organized by Commando Squad 9, a company that creates immersive, real-world experiences inspired by tactical video game war scenarios.
Decked out in full military-style gear, Gvardiol took part in a full range of simulated combat challenges.
Images on his Instagram depicted the Croatian centre-back maneuvering through forests, camouflaging in the environment, tackling water missions, and even mock-choking an “enemy” – all under the guidance of professional supervision and using airsoft replicas.
“The ultimate mental and physical prep for the upcoming season!” Gvardiol wrote in his post. “@commandos_9 transforms tactical video games into reality – all airsoft replicas, and I felt completely safe with these pros.”
“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 added.
If you’re interested in fulfilling your own war movie dream, you can – but the experiences start at a hefty £7,000. Opting for a sun lounger in Tenerife might be the more secure (and budget-friendly) option.
