The 20-year-old is currently living the dream, playing regularly for his hometown club and putting on fantastic displays, as seen in Sunday’s 4-1 hammering of Liverpool at Anfield.

Pep Guardiola gave Foden, a ball boy and academy product, his City first-team debut in a Champions League game against Feyenoord at the Etihad Stadium in 2017.

However, it was not the first time he strolled onto the pitch at Eastlands. City have uploaded footage of a seven-year-old Foden gripping Martin Petrov’s hand during the Blues’ 1-0 victory over Sunderland in November 2007.

Little Foden was wearing his complete City home strip and had a bright smile on his face years before he grew slits in his eye-brows and was nicknamed ‘the Stockport Iniesta’.

Foden, who has a City-supporting mother and a United-supporting father and brother, had great memories of the encounter – but admitted he first intended to walk out with Micah Richards.

“I did want to walk out with Micah Richards, I ended up changing to Petrov,” he told Sky Sports.

“I got to take a few shots at Joe Hart as well & then I was in the same changing room as him.”

Five years on, Foden had the perfect view of Sergio Aguero’s dramatic last-gap title winner against Queens Park Rangers and was one of the the fans that went on the pitch.

“I was right behind the goal and saw it go in the net – I’ll never forget it,” Foden told BBC.

“I remember the whistle went and everyone legged it on to the pitch! Me and my mum decided to go on as well.

“I remember seeing Aguero getting swarmed and security guards around him trying to get him to the tunnel. It was just full of people; you couldn’t move.

“It was massive. I knew how big it was. I could tell by the reaction around me how big it was.

“I don’t think it will ever be done like that again; it was a special memory.”

Foden has since received two Premier League winners’ medals and assisted Aguero on his 200th City goal.

But now, with over 100 appearances, Foden has established himself as an important player for his beloved City.

Image: PA
Following his masterclass against Liverpool, the England international now has 16 goals and assists in all competitions for the league leaders and is dubbed “a £200 million pound player”.