Manchester City’s rising star, Nico O’Reilly, had the football world at his feet as a child, with top clubs vying for his signature.
Among them were Manchester United, Liverpool, and Everton, but it was the Premier League champions’ superior training that sealed his decision.
The 19-year-old midfielder, yet to debut in the Premier League, has already made appearances in the Champions League and Carabao Cup this season.
Though he remains a regular on Pep Guardiola’s bench, O’Reilly is considered one of City’s brightest prospects.
In an interview with the Official Man City Podcast, the Manchester-born talent shared insights into his journey. “I started playing at three or four, joining multiple grassroots teams,” he recalled. “My mum juggled taking me to games, and United was the first to scout me, followed by City, Liverpool, and Everton.”
Before signing, O’Reilly trained with several clubs, but the choice boiled down to City and United by the Under-8s and Under-9s stages. “I picked City because the training was a lot better,” he revealed.
Pep Guardiola, known for nurturing young talent, praised O’Reilly’s potential during pre-season, highlighting his physicality as a standout trait in City’s academy.
“He’s one of the few bigger players coming through, which is refreshing,” Guardiola said. “He’s ready to play with us, thanks to the academy’s fantastic work.”
With his roots firmly planted at Manchester City, O’Reilly’s story is one of commitment to excellence—a decision that could shape his career among Europe’s elite.