Nico O’Reilly #3

Profile

A City academy graduate having signed aged eight, O’Reilly’s rise has been rapid. A full debut in 2024, a first England call-up a year later, and now a World Cup. “It’s mad, I never thought I’d be in this position so soon,” he said last year, insisting his breakthrough hadn’t changed him. “I've still got the same friends, I still do the same stuff, I still go to Tesco with my mum.” He says mum Holli is his inspiration, and she recorded a surprise video message for him when he signed his new City contract last September, saying: “I always remember, when you were about three months old, I looked at you and I knew you were special. I said to Nana he is special and she laughed at me like she does, and says everyone thinks their kids are special. But son, I knew you were, and always believed in you, and always will. Don’t ever change. You’re absolutely smashing life, and I love you.”

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