Nico O’Reilly reflects on rapid Manchester City and England rise

Nico O’Reilly has described his inclusion in England’s FIFA World Cup squad as a dream come true after a meteoric rise from Premier League debut to global stage in eighteen months. The 21-year-old Manchester City midfielder made his senior breakthrough in January 2025 and has since scored nine goals and provided six assists in 53 appearances across all competitions. O’Reilly netted a brace in City’s 2-0 Carabao Cup final win over Arsenal at Wembley in March, a performance that announced his arrival to a global audience. The academy graduate also won the Premier League Young Player of the Season award last term. Speaking to Manchester City’s official channels, O’Reilly said: “It’s unbelievable. It’s a dream come true. It’s something I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid and for it to come true now, obviously I’m still young, I can’t wait to get started.” He added: “Yes, I have to pinch myself a little bit. Everything has happened so fast. I made my Premier League debut last January. Since then, I have gone on and achieved good things at Man City. It’s led me to the World Cup.” O’Reilly made just nine top-flight starts the previous season before establishing himself as a regular starter under Pep Guardiola during the title run-in. His development trajectory has been described as extraordinary, with the midfielder transitioning from academy prospect to first-team key player in a single calendar year. His inclusion in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad reflects the manager’s trust in one of England’s most exciting young talents. O’Reilly earned his first senior cap in November 2025 and has since become a fixture in the international setup. The World Cup debut comes amid significant change at Manchester City, where Pep Guardiola has departed after a decade and Enzo Maresca is preparing to take charge. O’Reilly is expected to play a central role in the new era at the Etihad Stadium. For O’Reilly, who joined City’s academy at eight years old, the World Cup represents both the realisation of a childhood dream and a platform to showcase his progress on the global stage.