Phil Foden facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Phil Foden

Foden playing for Manchester City in 2023
Personal information
Full name	Philip Walter Foden
Date of birth	(2000-05-28) 28 May 2000 (age 25)
Place of birth	Stockport, England
Height	5 ft 7 in (1.71 m)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Manchester City
Number	47
Youth career
2004–2016	Manchester City
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2016–	Manchester City	192	(61)
International career‡
2015–2016	England U16	6	(2)
2016–2017	England U17	23	(12)
2017	England U18	2	(1)
2018	England U19	3	(1)
2018–2019	England U21	15	(4)
2020–	England	45	(4)
Medal record Men's football Representing  England FIFA U-17 World Cup Winner 2017 UEFA European Championship Runner-up 2020 {{{3}}} Runner-up 2024 {{{3}}} UEFA European Under-17 Championship Runner-up 2017
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:36, 25 May 2025 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:45, 24 March 2025 (UTC)

Philip Walter Foden (born May 28, 2000) is an English professional footballer. He plays as a midfielder for the English club Manchester City. He also plays for the England national team.

Phil Foden became well-known in 2017. He won the FIFA U-17 World Cup Golden Ball award. This happened after England's team won the Under-17 World Cup. He started playing for Manchester City in the same year. In December, he was named BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year.

Since then, Foden has played over 300 games for Manchester City. He has won many awards with the club. This includes a continental treble in the 2022–23 season. He was the youngest player to win a Premier League winner's medal in 2018. In 2019, he won another Premier League title. He also became Manchester City's youngest goalscorer in the UEFA Champions League. He is the youngest English player to start and score in the knockout stages of that competition.

In 2021 and 2022, he was named the Premier League Young Player of the Season. He also won the PFA Young Player of the Year award. In 2024, Foden was named the Premier League Player of the Season. He also won the PFA Players' Player of the Year.

Foden played for England at different youth levels. He made his debut for the senior team in September 2020. He was part of the England teams for UEFA Euro 2020, the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and UEFA Euro 2024.

Phil Foden's Club Career

Playing for Manchester City

Early Life and Start in Football

Philip Walter Foden was born on May 28, 2000, in Stockport, England. He was a big fan of Manchester City since he was a boy. He joined the club when he was just four years old. In July 2016, he officially joined their Academy.

Manchester City paid for his education at St Bede's College. On December 6, 2016, City's manager, Pep Guardiola, included Foden in the team for a UEFA Champions League match. He was a substitute but did not play in that game.

First Steps in the 2017–18 Season

Foden playing for Manchester City in 2017

Foden made his first appearance for Manchester City on November 21, 2017. This was in a Champions League game against Feyenoord. He came on as a substitute. He became the fourth-youngest English player to play in the Champions League. He was 17 years and 177 days old.

On December 6, he became the youngest English player to start a Champions League match. He was 17 years and 192 days old. This record was later broken by Jude Bellingham. Foden also became the first player born in the year 2000 to start a Champions League game. He made his Premier League debut on December 16, 2017.

Foden played as a substitute in the 2018 EFL Cup final in February 2018. Manchester City won 3–0 against Arsenal. The next month, he became the youngest English player to start a Champions League knockout match. This was in a 4–0 win against Basel. On May 13, he became the youngest player to receive a Premier League winner's medal. The Guinness World Records recognized him for this achievement.

Success in the 2018–19 Season

Foden started for City in the 2018 FA Community Shield on August 5, 2018. He played 75 minutes and helped with a goal. City won 2–0 against Chelsea. This was Foden's third winner's medal that year. On September 25, 2018, he scored his first senior goal for City. This helped secure a 3–0 win against Oxford United in the EFL Cup.

Foden scored his first home goal for City on January 6, 2019. This was in a 7–0 win against Rotherham United in the 2018–19 FA Cup. Three days later, he scored again in a 9–0 win against Burton Albion. On March 12, 2019, Foden scored his first Champions League goal. City won 7–0 against Schalke. This made him City's youngest-ever goalscorer in the Champions League. He was also the youngest English player to score in the knockout stages.

In April, he made his first league start for the club. City manager Pep Guardiola said Foden would be an important player for Manchester City for many years. Foden scored his first Premier League goal on April 20, 2019. This was in a 1–0 win over Tottenham Hotspur. Manchester City won all domestic trophies that season. Foden played a bigger role in the team.

Key Moments in the 2019–20 Season

Foden started the 2019–20 season by winning his seventh trophy. This was the 2019 Community Shield against Liverpool. He scored in the penalty shoot-out. On October 1, 2019, Foden scored his first Champions League goal of the season. This was in a 2–0 win against Dinamo Zagreb.

On March 1, 2020, Foden started in the EFL Cup final. City won 2–1 against Aston Villa. He was named man of the match. This made him the youngest player to win the Alan Hardaker Trophy.

When football returned after the COVID-19 pandemic, Foden scored as City beat Arsenal 3–0. In the next match, Foden scored two goals for the first time in the Premier League. City won 5–0 against Burnley. The 2019–20 Premier League season ended with City in second place. Foden's idol, David Silva, left the club. Pep Guardiola said Foden was trusted to take Silva's place. Foden played 38 games that season, scoring 8 goals and making 9 assists.

Achievements in the 2020–21 Season

Foden scored his first goal of the 2020–21 season against Wolverhampton Wanderers. This was in a 3–1 win on September 21, 2020. He scored his second league goal on October 24 against West Ham United. On November 25, 2020, Foden scored his first Champions League goal of the season against Olympiacos. This win helped City move to the next stage of the competition.

On February 7, 2021, Foden scored a goal and assisted another in a 4–1 win over Liverpool. This was City's first win at Anfield since 2003. Foden scored again in Merseyside on February 17, as City won 3–1 against Everton. This extended their winning streak to 17 games. Foden scored in both games of City's Champions League quarter-final against Borussia Dortmund. This helped them reach the semi-finals.

On April 21, 2021, Foden was named man of the match. He scored against Aston Villa, helping City win 2–1. This was his 14th goal of the season. Four days later, Foden won his ninth trophy with Manchester City. They beat Tottenham Hotspur 1–0 in the 2021 EFL Cup final. City reached the 2021 Champions League final after beating Paris Saint-Germain. On May 12, Foden won his third Premier League title. City lost the Champions League final 1–0 to Chelsea. This was Foden's first loss in a final. He was named in the Champions League Squad of the Season. He also won the Premier League Young Player of the Season and the PFA Young Player of the Year.

The 2021–22 Season Highlights

Foden missed the start of the 2021–22 Premier League season due to an injury. He scored and assisted two goals in a 6–1 win against Wycombe Wanderers in the 2021–22 EFL Cup. Foden scored his first Premier League goal of the season on October 3. This was in a 2–2 draw at Liverpool. He was named man of the match in a Champions League game against Club Brugge. He scored against them again in the second game.

Foden scored two goals in a 4–1 win against Brighton & Hove Albion. He also assisted a goal. He scored the winning goal in a 1–0 win at Brentford. Foden scored twice in two games in February, against Norwich City and Sporting CP. He scored another winning goal against Everton in a 1–0 away win. Foden also scored against Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals. City won that game 4–3 at home, but Real Madrid won the next game and knocked City out.

He was also part of City's comeback against Aston Villa on the final day. This helped them win the Premier League title over Liverpool. Foden finished the year with 14 goals, including nine in the Premier League. He won the PFA Young Player of the Year award again. He also won the Premier League Young Player of the Season for the second year in a row.

Triumphs in the 2022–23 Season

On October 2, 2022, Foden scored his first career hat-trick. This was in a 6–3 home win against Manchester United. On October 14, Foden signed a new contract with Manchester City until 2027.

After scoring against Newcastle United on March 4, 2023, Foden became the youngest City player to reach 50 Premier League goal involvements. On May 20, Foden won his fifth league title with Manchester City. Foden played as a substitute in the 2023 FA Cup final on June 3. City won 2–1 against Manchester United. A week later, in the 2023 Champions League final, Foden came on as a substitute. City won 1–0 to earn their first Champions League title. This completed a continental treble for the club.

Outstanding 2023–24 Season

After Kevin De Bruyne got injured, manager Pep Guardiola started using Foden more in a central attacking role. On August 16, Foden started in the UEFA Super Cup against Sevilla. City won in a penalty shoot-out, giving Foden his first trophy of the season. On December 22, Foden scored in the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup final. City won 4–0 against Fluminense, and Foden won his first Club World Cup title. He was the first English player to score in this final since Wayne Rooney in 2008.

On February 5, 2024, Foden scored his second Premier League hat-trick. This was in a 3–1 win against Brentford. On April 3, Foden scored his third Premier League hat-trick. This was in a 4–1 home win against Aston Villa. It included his first career free kick goal. In the Champions League quarter-finals on April 9, Foden scored against Real Madrid in a 3–3 draw. This meant he had scored in each of his last five starts in the competition. On April 25, Foden scored two goals against Brighton & Hove Albion. This meant he had scored over 50 Premier League goals for the club.

Pep Guardiola praised Foden, calling him a "top-class player" with "incredible sense of goal." After scoring two goals against Manchester United in March, Guardiola said Foden was the best player in the Premier League that season. He said Foden was becoming a "legendary player" for the club. In May, Foden was named the FWA Footballer of the Year and Premier League Player of the Season. On May 19, Foden scored two goals in a 3–1 win against West Ham United. This secured Manchester City's fourth straight Premier League title. Foden became the youngest player to win six Premier League titles.

Foden finished the season with a personal best of 27 goals in all competitions. He scored 19 goals in the Premier League. This made him the fourth-highest goalscorer in the league. He was also named Manchester City Player of the Year. On August 20, Foden was voted PFA Players' Player of the Year.

The 2024–25 Season

After playing against Chelsea in the first Premier League match, Foden missed several games due to illness. He made his first start of the season on September 24 against Watford in the 2024–25 EFL Cup. On October 1, Foden scored, assisted, and won man of the match in a 4–0 Champions League game against ŠK Slovan Bratislava. He became the fourth player to score in each of the last seven Champions League seasons. On June 30, 2025, Foden scored his 100th goal for Man City. This happened in a 4-3 loss against Al Hilal in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. He became the 20th player in the club's history to reach this milestone.

Phil Foden's International Career

Youth Team Success

In May 2017, Foden scored in the final of the 2017 UEFA European Under-17 Championship. The England under-17s lost to Spain in a penalty shoot-out.

In October of the same year, Foden gained a lot of attention. He scored twice in the final of the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup, again against Spain. England won the competition. He was named the best player of the tournament. He won the FIFA U-17 World Cup Golden Ball award.

On May 27, 2019, Foden was part of England's squad for the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. He scored an impressive goal, his first for the U21s. This was in a 2–1 loss to France.

Playing for the Senior England Team

Debut and UEFA Euro 2020

On August 25, 2020, Gareth Southgate chose Foden for the England senior team for the first time. He played his first international game against Iceland on September 5, 2020. England won 1–0. A few days later, Foden and teammate Mason Greenwood were removed from the England squad. This was because they broke the team's rules about isolation.

Foden scored his first two goals for England on November 18, 2020. This was during a UEFA Nations League match against Iceland.

On June 1, 2021, Foden was named in the squad for UEFA Euro 2020. He joined the team later because he was playing in the Champions League final. On June 8, Foden dyed his hair blonde. This made people compare him to former England player Paul Gascoigne. Foden said he hoped to bring some of Gascoigne's spirit to the game.

2022 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2024

Foden with England at the 2022 FIFA World Cup

On November 10, 2022, Foden was included in England's squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He played his first game in the tournament as a substitute in a 6–2 win against Iran. On November 29, he scored England's second goal in a 3–0 win against Wales. This was his first goal in a major international tournament. In the next game against Senegal, Foden assisted goals for Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka.

Foden was named in England's squad for UEFA Euro 2024. He started on the left side of the attack in the team's first match against Serbia. England won 1–0.

How Phil Foden Plays

Foden is left-footed and can play in different positions. He can play as a wing-back or a winger on the right side. However, Pep Guardiola has said he is "more of a midfielder." Sometimes, he plays in a central attacking role as a false 9.

In 2017, Guardiola called him a "special player." He said Foden has great potential. Louise Taylor of The Guardian described Foden as having "tight, adhesive control." She also noted his ability to easily move past opponents. Veteran football writer Brian Glanville called him a "gifted and precocious teenager" in 2018.

Phil Foden's Personal Life

Phil Foden has three children with his long-term girlfriend, Rebecca Cooke. Their son was born in 2019, their daughter in 2021, and another child was born during Euro 2024. He wears the number 47 shirt. He has a matching tattoo on his neck to honor his grandfather, Ronnie, who passed away at age 47. On June 26, 2024, Foden left England's squad during the European tournament to be there for the birth of his third child.

Foden enjoys fishing and considers it one of his favorite hobbies outside of football.

Career Statistics

Club Appearances and Goals

International Appearances and Goals

England score listed first, score column indicates score after each Foden goal

List of international goals scored by Phil Foden

No.	Date	Venue	Cap	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition	Ref.
1	18 November 2020	Wembley Stadium, London, England	3	Iceland	3–0	4–0	2020–21 UEFA Nations League A
2					4–0
3	29 November 2022	Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar	20	Wales	2–0	3–0	2022 FIFA World Cup
4	12 September 2023	Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland	27	Scotland	1–0	3–1	Friendly

Honours and Awards

Manchester City

• Premier League: 2017–18, 2018–19, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24
• FA Cup: 2018–19, 2022–23; runner-up: 2023–24, 2024–25
• EFL Cup: 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21
• FA Community Shield: 2018, 2019
• UEFA Champions League: 2022–23; runner-up: 2020–21
• UEFA Super Cup: 2023
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2023

England U17

• FIFA U-17 World Cup: 2017
• UEFA European Under-17 Championship runner-up: 2017

England

• UEFA European Championship runner-up: 2020, 2024

Individual Awards

• UEFA European Under-17 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2017
• FIFA U-17 World Cup Golden Ball: 2017
• BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year: 2017
• Alan Hardaker Trophy: 2020
• IFFHS Men's World Youth (U20) Team: 2020
• UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season: 2020–21, 2023–24
• Premier League Young Player of the Season: 2020–21, 2021–22
• PFA Young Player of the Year: 2020–21, 2021–22
• PFA Players' Player of the Year: 2023–24
• PFA Team of the Year: 2023–24 Premier League
• FWA Footballer of the Year: 2023–24
• Premier League Player of the Season: 2023–24
• Manchester City Player of the Year: 2023–24
• The Athletic Premier League Team of the Season: 2023–24

See also

In Spanish: Phil Foden para niños