Phil Foden facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Phil Foden

Foden playing for Manchester City in 2024
Personal information
Date of birth	(2000-05-28) 28 May 2000 (age 25)
Place of birth	Stockport, England
Height	5 feet 7 inches (1.71 m)
Playing position	Midfielder
Club information
Current club	Manchester City
Number	47
Youth career
2004–2016	Manchester City
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2016–	Manchester City	181	(60)
National team‡
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	43	(4)
Honours 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
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18:37, 19 January 2025 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 20:00, 13 October 2024 (UTC)

Philip Walter Foden (born 28 May 2000) is a talented English footballer. He plays as a midfielder for Manchester City and the England national team. Many people think he is one of the best players in the world.

Foden became a professional player in 2017. He won the FIFA U-17 World Cup Golden Ball award. This was after England won the Under-17 World Cup. He started playing for Manchester City that same year. In December, he was named BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year.

Since then, Foden has played over 250 games for Manchester City. He has won fifteen trophies with the club. This includes a continental treble in the 2022–23 season. He also became 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 also the youngest English player to start and score in the knockout stages of that competition.

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

Philip Walter Foden was born on 28 May 2000 in Stockport, England. He grew up supporting Manchester City. He joined the club's academy when he was just four years old. He signed his scholarship with the Academy in July 2016.

Manchester City paid for his education at St Bede's College. On 6 December 2016, City's manager, Pep Guardiola, included Foden in the team for a UEFA Champions League game. This was against Celtic. He was a substitute but did not play in the 1–1 draw.

First Steps: 2017–18 Season

Foden playing for Manchester City in 2017

Foden made his first appearance for Manchester City on 21 November 2017. This was in a Champions League game against Feyenoord. He came on as a substitute in the 75th minute. He was 17 years and 177 days old. This made him the fourth-youngest English player to play in the Champions League.

On 6 December, Foden became the youngest English player to start a Champions League match. He was 17 years and 192 days old. This happened in a 2–1 loss to Shakhtar Donetsk. He was also the first player born in the year 2000 to start a game in this competition. He made his Premier League debut on 16 December. He came on as a substitute in a 4–1 win against Tottenham Hotspur.

Foden played as a late substitute in the 2018 EFL Cup final on 25 February 2018. Manchester City won 3–0 against Arsenal. The next month, he became the youngest English player to start a knockout match in the Champions League. This was in a 4–0 win over Basel. On 13 May, he became the youngest player to receive a Premier League winner's medal.

Building Up: 2018–19 Season

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

Foden scored his first home goal for City on 6 January 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 12 March 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 18 years and 288 days old.

The next month, he started his first league game for the club. This was a 2–0 win over Cardiff City. He became the youngest English player to do this since 2008. Manager Pep Guardiola said Foden would be a very important player for Manchester City for many years. Foden scored his first Premier League goal on 20 April 2019. This was in a 1–0 win over Tottenham Hotspur. Manchester City won many trophies that season.

Becoming Key: 2019–20 Season

Foden started the 2019–20 season by winning his seventh trophy. This was the Community Shield against Liverpool on 4 August 2019. He scored in the penalty shoot-out. On 1 October 2019, Foden scored his first goal of the season in the Champions League. This was in a 2–0 home win against Dinamo Zagreb.

On 1 March 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 Premier League football returned after the COVID-19 pandemic, Foden scored. City beat Arsenal 3–0 at home. In the next game, Foden scored two goals. Manchester City won 5–0 against Burnley.

The 2019–20 Premier League season ended on 26 July. Foden started in a 5–0 win over Norwich City. Manchester City finished second. This season also saw the departure of Foden's idol, David Silva. Foden had said he learned a lot from Silva. Pep Guardiola said Foden was trusted to take Silva's place. Foden ended the season with 8 goals and 9 assists in 38 games.

More Success: 2020–21 Season

Foden scored his first goal of the 2020–21 season against Wolverhampton Wanderers. This was in a 3–1 away win on 21 September 2020. He scored again on 24 October against West Ham United in a 1–1 draw. He came on at half-time and scored six minutes later.

Foden scored his first Champions League goal of the season against Olympiacos. This win helped City get to the round of 16. On 7 February 2021, Foden scored a goal and assisted another. City won 4–1 away against Liverpool. This was City's first win at Anfield since 2003. Foden scored again in Merseyside on 17 February. Manchester City won 3–1 away at Everton. This made it 17 wins in a row for City.

Foden scored in both games of City's Champions League quarter-final against Borussia Dortmund. This helped them reach the semi-finals. On 21 April 2021, Foden scored against Aston Villa. City won 2–1. This was Foden's 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. Foden helped with an assist in the semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain. City lost the 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.

Double Young Player Awards: 2021–22 Season

Foden missed the start of the 2021–22 Premier League season due to injury. He scored and assisted two goals in a 6–1 win in the 2021–22 EFL Cup against Wycombe Wanderers. Foden scored his first Premier League goal of the season on 3 October. This was in a 2–2 draw at Liverpool. He was 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 away win against Brighton & Hove Albion. He also assisted a goal. He scored the winning goal in a 1–0 away win at Brentford. Foden scored twice in two games in February. These were away wins 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 a 4–3 home win in the Champions League semi-finals. However, Real Madrid won the second game and knocked City out. Foden was also involved in City's comeback against Aston Villa on the final day. This helped them win the Premier League title. Foden finished the year with 14 goals. He won the PFA Young Player of the Year and Premier League Young Player of the Season for the second year in a row.

Treble Winner: 2022–23 Season

Foden warming up for Manchester City in 2022

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

After scoring against Newcastle United on 4 March 2023, Foden reached a milestone. He became the youngest player to be involved in 50 Premier League goals for Manchester City. On 20 May, Foden won his fifth league title with Manchester City. Foden played as a late substitute in the 2023 FA Cup final on 3 June. 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 win their first Champions League title. This completed a continental treble for the club.

Player of the Season: 2023–24 Season

After Kevin De Bruyne's injury, Pep Guardiola started using Foden more in a central attacking role. On 16 August, Foden started in the UEFA Super Cup. City won against Sevilla in a penalty shoot-out. This was Foden's first trophy of the season. On 22 December, Foden scored in the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup final. City won 4–0 against Fluminense. This was his first Club World Cup title.

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

Guardiola praised Foden, calling him a "top-class player" with "natural talent." He said Foden was the best player in the Premier League that season. In May, Foden was named the FWA Footballer of the Year and Premier League Player of the Season. On 19 May, Foden scored two goals in a 3–1 win against West Ham United. This secured Manchester City their fourth Premier League title in a row. 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. He was named Manchester City Player of the Year. On 20 August, Foden was voted PFA Players' Player of the Year.

Current Season: 2024–25 Season

Foden playing for Manchester City in 2024

After playing against Chelsea in the first Premier League match, Foden missed some games due to illness. He made his first start of the season on 24 September against Watford in the 2024–25 EFL Cup. On 1 October, Foden scored, assisted, and was 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.

Phil Foden's International Career

Youth Teams

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 became well-known. 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 in 2017.

On 27 May 2019, Foden was chosen for England's squad for the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. He scored an amazing goal in the opening 2–1 loss to France. This was his first goal for the U21 team.

Senior England Team

First Appearance and UEFA Euro 2020

On 25 August 2020, England manager Gareth Southgate picked Foden for the England senior team for the first time. He played his first international game against Iceland on 5 September 2020. England won 1–0 in the UEFA Nations League.

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

On 1 June 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 8 June, 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 pitch.

World Cup 2022 and Euro 2024

Foden with England at the 2022 FIFA World Cup

On 10 November 2022, Foden was chosen for England's squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He played his first game in the tournament as a substitute. England won 6–2 against Iran. On 29 November, 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 a goal for Harry Kane. He then assisted another goal for Bukayo Saka.

Foden was also 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. He played the whole game as England won 1–0.

How Phil Foden Plays

Foden is left-footed. He can play in different positions, like a wing-back or a winger on the right. 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 "potential." Louise Taylor of The Guardian said Foden has "tight, adhesive control." She also said he is good at "drifting past opponents." In 2018, football writer Brian Glanville called him a "gifted and precocious teenager."

Phil Foden's Personal Life

Foden has three children with his long-term girlfriend, Rebecca Cooke. Their son was born in 2019, their daughter in 2021, and another child 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 47. On 26 June 2024, Foden left England's squad during the European tournament to be there for the birth of his third child.

Foden loves fishing. He considers it one of his favorite things to do outside of football.

Career Statistics

Club Appearances

International Appearances

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

Phil Foden's Awards and Honours

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
• 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

See also

In Spanish: Phil Foden para niños