World Cup 2026 · Best player in World Cup 2026?

Phil Foden

The Stockport Iniesta

Attacking Midfielder / Winger

Position

Manchester City

Club

England

Nation

Age

Biography

Born in Stockport in 2000, Phil Foden was identified as a prodigy at age 4. Manchester City signed him at 8 and he became the youngest player to win the Premier League (17 years). Pep Guardiola called him the most talented player he has ever seen. After years of gradual development he exploded in 2023-24, winning the Premier League Player of the Year and finishing 11th in the Ballon dOr.

Phil Foden

The Stockport Iniesta

Attacking Midfielder / Winger · England

Trophies & Honours

🏆

Premier League x5

2019-2024 · Manchester City

🏆

UEFA Champions League

2023 · Manchester City

🏆

FA Cup x2

2019 & 2023 · Manchester City

🏆

PFA Players Player of the Year

2024 · Individual

The Venue

Manchester City

Premier League · England

Foden is Manchester City most creative player. His ability to play across the front line and in central midfield makes him Guardiola most versatile and valuable asset.

Career Stats

310

Club Matches

112

Club Goals

0.36

Goals per Game

Club Assists

National Team Matches

National Team Goals

0.29

Goals per Game (NT)

150M EUR

Market Value

Career Timeline

2017

Manchester City

Premier League debut at 17 - youngest City player to win the league

2019

Manchester City

Under-17 World Cup Golden Ball winner with England

2021

Manchester City

Champions League finalist - City best player in the competition

2023

Manchester City

Treble winner - Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup

2024

Manchester City

PFA Players Player of the Year - best season of his career with 27 goals

Best Matches

Champions League SFvs Real Madrid5-1 agg2023-05-24

Two goals and complete domination of the Bernabeu. City at their peak.

Premier Leaguevs Manchester United3-12024-03-16

Hat-trick in the Manchester derby. One of the great derby performances.

Euro 2020vs Croatia1-02021-06-13

Set up the winning goal with a brilliant run. England best player of the tournament.

Records & Milestones

★

Youngest player to win the Premier League (17 years, 177 days)

★

Most Premier League titles won before age 25

★

Under-17 World Cup Golden Ball winner (2017)

★

Highest-rated English player in Premier League history by WhoScored

Characteristics

Technically the most gifted English player in a generation. Foden operates in tight spaces with a first touch and dribbling ability that recalls the great Spanish playmakers. He can play anywhere across the front three or in central midfield.

Strengths

✓First touch

✓Dribbling

✓Creativity

✓Versatility

✓Intelligence

Weaknesses

✕Physical duels

✕Consistency at international level

✕Aerial ability

Did You Know?

Guardiola has called Foden the most talented player he has ever worked with - ahead of Messi, Iniesta and Xavi at Barcelona.

He grew up on the same Stockport estate as his childhood friend and has never moved away, despite being one of the highest-paid players in England.

Foden became a father at 18 when his childhood sweetheart gave birth to their son Ronnie. He has spoken about how fatherhood motivated him to work harder.

His shirt number 47 at City was assigned randomly when he joined the academy as a child - he kept it as a tribute to his journey at the club.

He is the only player in Premier League history to win the league five times before his 24th birthday.

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