Midfielder for Manchester City and the England national team, Phil Foden is an English professional footballer. He was born in Stockport, Greater Manchester, England on May 28, 2000.
Foden entered the youth academy of Manchester City at the age of eight and advanced rapidly through the ranks. On the pitch, his technical abilities and vision impressed the instructors. Foden made his City debut in the Champions League against Feyenoord in November 2017, going on as a late substitute.
Foden had a phenomenal 2019/20 season, making 38 appearances across all competitions and scoring eight goals to help Manchester City win the Premier League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup.
Foden has participated in multiple divisions of England’s youth team. The young Man City star claimed the Under-17 and Under-19 European Championships in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Since making his England debut in September 2020, he has become a recognizable member of the British team.
Here are thirteen intriguing facts about Phil Foden that you may need to know.
Making a strong impression at a very young age
Foden’s aptitude was immediately apparent during his early years in England. He was a prominent participant in the 2017 U17 World Cup. Foden was recognized as the ‘Best Player of the Tournament’ after England’s U17 squad was crowned champion. A year later, Foden assisted England in winning the European Championship for Under-19s.
Foden was awarded the Golden Ball at the U17 World Cup, which increased media interest in him.
The nickname is Ronnie
Foden has many aliases, but his family typically refers to him as “Ronnie.” This was the moniker Phil Foden’s grandmother used to avoid confusion when referring to his father, Phil Foden Sr.
Benjamin Mendy, Foden’s teammate at Manchester City on that day, repeatedly referred to Foden on social media as “Baby Shark.”
Purchase a £2 million home at age 18
His brisk career garnered him fame and fortune. However, the young man prioritized his family above all else.
At the age of 18, Foden purchased a £2 million home. His family then relocated from Edgeley, Stockport, to Bramhall, south of Manchester.
Since joining Man City Academy at age 4
Four-year-old Phil Foden joined City and inked an academy contract in July 2016.
He advanced through numerous youth levels at Manchester City and is now a vital member of the club under Pep Guardiola.
In contrast David Silva
Foden has been compared to Manchester City legend David Silva due to his outstanding dribbling and individual abilities. Foden himself admires and is inspired by the Spaniard.
Foden was also privileged to play alongside Silva when he joined Man City’s first team. He is also regarded as the successor to David Silva’s ‘conductor’ position at City.
Despite being young, he holds many prestigious titles
Despite being only 22 years old, Foden has won numerous titles throughout his career. With Manchester City, the Englishman has won four Premier League titles, one FA Cup, four Carabao Cups, and two Community Shields.
He has a promising future to achieve more championships with the club.
Becoming a father at the age of 18
Foden is in a relationship with swimmer Rebecca Cooke in his personal life. In January 2019, their first son, Ronnie, was born.
Foden married at the age of 17 and became a father the following year, at the age of 18.
Likes fishing
When not playing football, Foden frequently goes fishing for relaxation.
Approximately 95% of football players dislike fishing. Foden revealed. In 2018, he missed Man City’s celebration of winning the Premier League because he had planned to go fishing with his father.
2019 Premier League Rookie of the Year
The 2019-20 season marks Foden’s breakthrough. He made 38 appearances in all competitions, scored eight goals, and assisted on nine others, garnering him the “Best Young Player” award for the 2019-20 Premier League.
Youngest English player to score in Knock-Out Champions League
Foden became the youngest player to ever score for Manchester City in the Champions League on March 12, 2019, when he scored against Schalke in the Round of 16-second leg.
At 18 years and 288 days, he also became the youngest English player to score in the tournament’s knockout stages.
Fourth youngest English participant in Champions League history
Foden has etched his name into the record book with numerous remarkable accomplishments. The Man City star is the fourth youngest English player to appear in the Champions League at 17 years and 177 days old, and the first player born in 2000 to do so.
Foden is also the second-youngest English player to enroll at UCL, a record that Jude Bellingham recently eclipsed. However, the City player still retains the record for being the youngest English player to start a Champions League knockout match, having done so in 2018 against Basel at the age of 17 and 283 days.
In the Guinness Book of World Records
Foden received a championship medal at the age of 17 years and 350 days at the conclusion of City’s record-breaking 2017-18 campaign.
He was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the youngest player to achieve a Premier League medal in the 2020 season.
Once in a scandal during the blockade because of COVID
Foden encountered a scandal off the pitch in September 2020 when he and then-teammate Mason Greenwood violated Covid-19 regulations. Specifically, these two young players brought two unfamiliar women to the hotel room while the national team was gathered.
Both juvenile players were dismissed from the national team and required to issue an apology to the public. They were then summoned back to England.
