How Phil Foden and Man City teammates helped Rico Lewis rise from academy to Champions League

On Wednesday evening Rico Lewis did what thousands of young Manchester City fans dream about every night.

The 17-year-old right-back scored on his full City debut in a 3-1 defeat of Sevilla, a superbly-taken goal that made him City's youngest-ever Champions League scorer and the youngest player in the competition's history to score on his first start. He received a standing ovation from the Etihad crowd when he was substituted in the second half.

As if to highlight just how rapid his rise to Pep Guardiola's first team has been, Lewis was back in the classroom on Thursday as part of City's academy education programme for scholars. Following in the footsteps of Phil Foden and Cole Palmer, Bury-born Lewis is the latest proof that local academy kids can make it at the Etihad Stadium.

However, if it wasn't for the help of Phil Foden, Kevin de Bruyne and Kyle Walker, Lewis might not have got his big moment under the lights. As reported by the Mail, the trio of City stars have played a key role in the youngster's development and integration into the first-team setup.

One of Lewis' strengths is his mentality and willingness to improve, something De Bruyne noticed back in 2019. Every summer City's Belgian maestro funds an Under-15s tournament in his hometown of Drongen, and it was there that he noticed Lewis playing for City.

The youngster missed a penalty during the match but later stepped up and converted during the penalty shootout. De Bruyne pulled a City coach aside and highlighted Lewis' mentality.

Phil Foden's rise to stardom represents the perfect blueprint for Lewis to follow, and the England star has made sure to give his fellow academy graduate as much help as possible. Lewis - now ever-present in first-team training and matchday squads - sits next to Foden in the changing room and on the team coach.

Walker, Lewis' main right-back inspiration alongside Dani Alves, has gone above and beyond to help guide the player who might one day replace him.

"I think it is just the little tips," Lewis told mancity.com when asked how Walker helps him on a day-to-day basis in training.

"I don’t really have to go and ask him for much but he just gives me little tips when he can sees that he could improve me in some way, it goes a long way really."

For what he has already achieved and what he hopes to go on to, Lewis largely has himself to thank. But he is also humble enough to recognise that the roles played by three of City's superstars have also gone a long way to helping him achieve his dream.