The German international marked his 300th City appearance with two goals and an assist in our crucial Premier League victory over Everton on Sunday.
It was the captain’s second brace in successive league appearances after a two-goal haul in last weekend’s victory over Leeds.
With City now a maximum of six points from a third title in three years, our No.8 is looking to add to his 11 major honours lifted during his time in Manchester.
The midfielder’s versatility has been one of his key attributes throughout his City career, with the 32-year-old equally capable of sitting deep as he is raiding the opposition box.
Guardiola was full of praise for his captain after his Man of the Match performance against Everton, stating: “Ilkay shows again and again the quality, his importance and his commitment to all of us and the Club.
“Not just scoring goals, but he has his momentum because against Leeds he was the player and today again. He can do everything and he does it well.”
Gundogan was selected as club captain by his peers following the departure of Fernandinho last summer.
The boss believes it’s the example he sets that earns the midfielder the respect of his team-mates and allows him to continue to shine.
“He doesn’t talk much. But when he does, everyone listens,” said Guardiola.
“This is the power of the leader.
“He’s shown it in every training sessions, arriving on time, living his job 24 hours and plays like he’s playing.
“He’s a guy close to the box with an incredible sense of goal and can do it as a holding midfielder defensively without a problem. He proved it years ago when Fernandinho was injured and he played a lot of times in that position.
“I remember against Burnley with the long balls it looks like you need a physical holding midfielder but he’s so intelligent and clever and handles the pressure really well.”
