Teenager Chris Gunter will be at Wembley on Saturday to cheer on his former Cardiff team-mates knowing it could have been him playing in an FA Cup final.
The Tottenham defender, a £3.5million buy from City in January, has seen the club he left stun the football world by reaching their first final since 1927.
Gunter will play for Wales Under-21s against England at Wrexham on Thursday, and insists there is not a hint of jealousy as he prepares to watch his pals face Premier League Portsmouth two days later.
The 18-year-old said: "I just hope Cardiff really enjoy it all, I have supported the club since I was a kid and I will be there at Wembley to support them - Aaron Ramsey has managed to get me a ticket.
"It is fantastic for them. A brilliant experience for everyone and there is no hint of jealousy from me that I have missed out.
"When I left City in January I was not even in the Cardiff team then, anyway.
"I have to look at the bigger picture. I made my debut for Spurs at Old Trafford and it has been a brilliant move for me.
"I was never first-choice at Cardiff and when the chance came along to better myself, I had to take it. Looking back it was still the right decision."
Gunter added: "The Cardiff lads are my mates. I have kept in touch with them and genuinely want them to do well and win the cup.
"It will be an amazing experience for them and I will be there in my blue shirt cheering them on.
"I will always be a fan. I remember buying my season ticket at Cardiff when I was nine, I just can't wait to see them at Wembley.
"And Cardiff can win. They outplayed Middlesbrough to get there and they can do the same to Portsmouth. Cardiff have been the underdogs all along, so why can't they win this one?"
Gunter has already made a massive impression on Wales boss John Toshack and is destined to have a long career in the senior side.
He said: "Things have gone very well for me and I can't wait for more chances for Wales and Spurs.
"I expect to play in finals with Spurs. I was cup-tied this season when we won the Carling Cup, but there will be many other chances for me. I am convinced of that.
"I want to be involved in Champions League finals, FA Cup finals, the lot. My time will come.
"I am training with top players every day. I am bound to improve and that is my aim. I know I am doing okay, that is the main thing because I am getting constant top coaching.
"It has been nice to have settled in there as I have, and I am looking forward to getting a good pre-season in and having a real crack at it next season."
Gunter will join other senior internationals like Wayne Hennessey, Neil Eardley, Lewin Nyatanga and David Edwards against a strong English side in Wales' 100th game at this level.
Under-21 boss Brian Flynn said: "This is a great match to have as our 100th game. My first match in charge was against England back in 2005, so we are really looking forward to this one.
"It is a mouth-watering challenge for the boys, we will be facing quality players and we can now see if we can match them.
"This squad has come on miles and miles since we last played England. We lost 4-0 that time but we now have great strength in depth.
"We have fast-tracked so many lads now into the senior squad that we have continually had to find replacements from the Under-19s and 17s, and they have all risen to the challenge.
"This game is an important part of our development, it is all about beating Romania in August and qualifying for the UEFA championship play-offs.
"And there is no such thing as a friendly with England, it will be competitive and is I suppose, a mini-home international.
"It is a very strong England squad and we are pretty strong ourselves. Obviously we are without the Cardiff boys and we are delighted they are in the cup final.
"Lads like Joe Ledley and Aaron Ramsey would be here, but we hope they go on to win the cup on Saturday."
