AS nights go, Rico Lewis admitted they won’t get any better than this. The Manchester City right-back, just 17, made his Champions League debut for the club in the 3-1 win over Sevilla.
Better still, with his side trailing he scored a precise finish to get his side level – and a new hero was born.
After the game, he declared on Instagram: “Words can’t describe the feeling. First start and goal for this amazing club, I won’t forget this day for the rest of my life, can’t thank the fans enough, amazing as usual.”
While his manager Pep Guardiola was full of admiration for his young buck and revealed why he threw him in at the deep end.
The Spaniard said: “We don’t give present… he had to earn it. We have seen him since day one in pre-season and I said: this guy has something special.”
He added: “He’s so clever, so intelligent. If you say something, he understands everything. I’m so happy.”
Fans certainly appreciated the defender’s efforts, giving him a standing ovation when he was replaced in the 85th minute for first choice Joao Cancelo.
His career is off and running at the Etihad.
Rico isn’t the only Lewis on Man City’s books. His sister Sacha also trains with their academy.
Their sporting genes emanate from their father, Rick.
He is a two-time muay Thai British champion who runs a gym in Bury, where Rico and Sacha grew up.
They both trained with their dad when they were younger, but football soon took over.
Lewis joined City when he was eight years old, and impressed as he rose up the ranks.
By 15, he was captain material – leading England at youth level and starring for City’s U18’s.
Last season, he skippered City’s U18’s to the Under-18 Premier League National championship.
His maturity and intelligence, which Guardiola touched on after Wednesday’s game, was clear to see very early on.
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