Why a Manchester City talent quit football at nineteen to study law at Oxford

In a story that goes against everything we usually expect from a young footballer on the rise, Manchester City prospect Gabriel Han Willhoft King has stepped away from the sport at only nineteen to begin a law degree at Oxford University. The gifted midfielder, who spent twelve years at the Tottenham academy before joining City’s under twenty one side in 2024, announced his decision in November 2025 and it caught many by surprise.

The pull of academic life

Willhoft King explained that he found himself craving more intellectual challenge. In an interview with The Guardian he admitted that the day to day routine of football left him feeling under stimulated. He said he was often bored and felt he was wasting hours of the day, even while training with stars like Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne under Pep Guardiola. A strong student, Willhoft King earned A*, A* and A in maths, economics and history at A levels. He then passed the law aptitude test with ease and secured a place at Brasenose College at Oxford.

A missed chance for Indonesia

His decision also closed the door on hopes that he might one day play for the Indonesian national team. He was eligible through his father who was born in Jakarta and had already caught the attention of Indonesian officials before the 2023 FIFA under seventeen World Cup. Injuries also played a part in the path he chose, including a four month spell on the sidelines, something he acknowledged when reflecting on his future.

Looking ahead with a wider lens

For Willhoft King this is all about long term planning. He looked at the idea of a career that lasts ten to fifteen years and wondered what comes after that. For him, university feels like something more secure and more lasting. His choice shows a young man who prefers a life built on curiosity and learning rather than the chase for football fame. Of course many players do build generational wealth in that short window and some never get close. In the end it is his decision and he has chosen the path that makes the most sense to him.