Nico O'Reilly is having a dream year: from breakthrough at Manchester City to World Cup debut for England
England midfielder Nico O'Reilly has developed from City academy player to international in the space of a year and a half. After a strong season with Manchester City, he was included in the England World Cup selection by national coach Thomas Tuchel. O'Reilly looks back on his meteoric rise and looks forward to his debut on the world stage.
It has been a year full of milestones for Nico O'Reilly. The young Manchester City midfielder calls participating in the World Cup with England 'a dream come true'. In just eighteen months he made the leap from debut player in the Premier League to a permanent fixture at City and the England national team.
O'Reilly, 21 years old, excelled at Manchester City last season. He played no fewer than 53 games, scoring nine times, providing six assists and playing 4,044 minutes in all competitions. His highlights were the two goals in the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal, which won City the cup. With this he definitively established his name as an emerging talent.
“I made my debut in the Premier League in January last year. Since then everything has happened very quickly,” O'Reilly looks back on his development. The midfielder was a sporadic starter last season, but worked his way up to become a permanent force in manager Pep Guardiola's team. In November 2025, O'Reilly also made his debut for the national team.
Now, a year and a half after his official debut, O'Reilly has been included in the World Cup selection of national coach Thomas Tuchel. His rapid rise underlines the national coach's confidence in the creative midfielder, who has been playing in the City academy since he was eight. His selection coincides with a new era at Manchester City, where Enzo Maresca takes over from Pep Guardiola. O'Reilly is seen as a spearhead in the future team.
For O'Reilly, participation in the World Cup is the ultimate proof of his hard work and at the same time provides a unique podium. "It's incredible. You dream about this as a child, and now I'm about to start the World Cup. Sometimes I have to pinch myself; everything has happened so quickly."
England fans and Manchester City supporters hope that O'Reilly can continue his rise at the World Cup and lead his country to success.
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