Nico O’Reilly has scored nine goals for Manchester City this season.
Nico O’Reilly cherishes the memory of his last Wembley Stadium final, and the Manchester City player will be eager to replicate that success in Saturday’s FA Cup final against Chelsea.
The 21-year-old delivered a stellar performance against Arsenal, scoring twice to help City secure the Carabao Cup in March, and he now aims to claim a second trophy.
Manchester City’s season culminates in the next 10 days, which will determine the overall success of their campaign. Still in contention for the Premier League title, Pep Guardiola’s side could potentially conclude the season with one, two, or even three trophies by next Sunday.
For O’Reilly, the pursuit of silverware isn’t the sole motivation in the coming weeks, as he also seeks to secure a place in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for this summer’s World Cup.
“He has arguably been the best left-sided player this season,” Garry Riley, the scout who first identified O’Reilly, told BBC Sport.
“There are many talented left-sided players, but witnessing him potentially make it into that World Cup squad would be an incredible achievement.”
O’Reilly’s “unbelievable talent” was apparent from the age of six, according to Riley, who noted his “great left foot,” impressive ball control, and unwavering “determination.”
Even at that young age, scouts from Manchester United, Liverpool, Everton, and Blackburn Rovers were observing him while he played for Moston Tigers and Failsworth Dynamos.
O’Reilly was initially recommended to Riley by local scout Joe Yates, who maintained contact with the family regarding his progress.
Riley explained, “It was fiercely competitive in their younger years—and still is now—because all the top clubs in the North West are vying for the best young talents, making it incredibly challenging.
“This is where effective collaboration with the parents and a team-oriented approach within the club are essential. Securing his signature for the under-nines doesn’t mark the end of the process.
“You continue to stay in touch with the parents, the recruitment team takes over, and the physios become involved. Guiding these young players through requires a significant effort, but it’s ultimately a team endeavor.”
Growing up in Collyhurst, O’Reilly cites Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Ronaldinho as players he “loved watching,” while his Manchester City idols include Kevin de Bruyne, Yaya Toure, David Silva, and Sergio Aguero.
Reflecting on his early days in football, O’Reilly told BBC Sport, “[We played] a bit of everywhere—on the grass, on the streets. We used to go to the little cage and play there.
“There used to be about 30 of us that used to go out and play and just have a good time. I was a good kid, I just love playing sports. I love being out doing activities.”
A lifelong supporter of the club, O’Reilly progressed through Manchester City’s youth ranks after joining the academy at the age of eight.
After captaining the under-18s to the Premier League title in their respective category in 2023 and impressing in the elite development squad last season, he broke into the senior side this season.
Despite being a midfielder, O’Reilly has primarily been deployed at left-back by Guardiola, making a total of 51 appearances across all competitions this season and scoring nine goals.
His performances have also earned him a call-up to the England team, where he has earned three caps to date, and he has also been nominated for the Premier League’s Young Player of the Season award.
While O’Reilly’s previous trip to Wembley was memorable, last season’s FA Cup final was one to forget, as Manchester City suffered a shock defeat against Crystal Palace, ending their campaign without a major trophy.
Reflecting on O’Reilly’s development, Riley said, “It has been truly unbelievable. He is a down-to-earth young man who has always listened whenever I’ve watched him play.
“I didn’t observe him extensively throughout his academy journey because, once we secure his signature, we pass him on to the next stage of his development.
“However, I always maintain contact with him, try to attend as many games as possible, and he has simply been unbelievable.”