Phil Foden has become a key player for Manchester City, and his stellar performance during the 2023-24 season helped secure the club’s fourth consecutive Premier League title. Foden, who is currently representing England at Euro 2024, was a standout star and even claimed the Premier League Player of the Season award. Despite his meteoric rise, there’s one peculiar thing that remains unchanged – he continues to wear the number 47 shirt.
For a player of Foden’s caliber, one might expect him to wear a more conventional number, like 10 or 11, often associated with creative attacking players. However, Foden has made a conscious decision to keep number 47, a choice that surprises many of his fans. So why has the 23-year-old, who has cemented his status as one of the world’s top footballers, stuck with such an unconventional number?
The story behind Foden’s attachment to the number 47 goes beyond just football tradition. When Sergio Aguero, Manchester City’s legendary striker, left the club in 2021, he offered Foden the iconic number 10 shirt. This number is highly symbolic, having been worn by some of football’s greatest players, including Aguero himself. Despite the honor of being offered such a prestigious number, Foden declined the opportunity, choosing instead to hold onto his original number.
Foden’s choice to stick with number 47 is deeply personal. In interviews, Foden has explained that the number holds significant meaning to him, beyond the sport itself. “I did think about it,” Foden said of the offer to wear the number 10 shirt. “The ten shirt is such a big number in the club, but I just have a thing with 47. I’d like to create my own legacy and keep that number.”
This decision speaks volumes about Foden’s character and his desire to carve out his own unique path in football. Like Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has famously stuck with the number 66, Foden is determined to make the number 47 his own. For him, it’s not just about continuing tradition but about forging a new one – creating a legacy linked to his personal experiences and values.
One of the reasons Foden cherishes the number 47 is tied to his family. Born and raised in Manchester, Foden’s roots in the city run deep, and his family’s connection to Manchester City has influenced his journey. Foden’s decision to keep the number is reportedly linked to his late grandfather, Ronnie, a devoted Manchester City supporter. The number 47 serves as a tribute to his grandfather, keeping him close every time Foden steps onto the pitch. In a way, it symbolizes not just his professional achievements but also his personal bond to his family and hometown.
Despite sticking with number 47 at Manchester City, Foden switches shirt numbers when playing for the national team. This is because international squad numbers are more limited, and players don’t always get the chance to wear their preferred numbers. For example, during Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup, Foden wore the number 20 shirt. At Euro 2024, he switched to number 11, further adapting to the demands of international football.
Much like other footballers who have taken less conventional numbers and made them iconic, Foden’s story has already begun to inspire a new generation of players. His decision to stay with number 47 reflects a broader trend in football, where numbers once considered outliers are now gaining cultural significance thanks to players like Foden. As more young talents look up to him, it wouldn’t be surprising if the number 47 becomes synonymous with brilliance and creativity on the pitch, thanks to Foden’s legacy.
In addition to his shirt number, Foden is also known for his tattoo, another symbol of personal significance. He has a tattoo of the number 47, further demonstrating his commitment to the number and what it represents to him. This tattoo, much like his shirt number, is a permanent reminder of the journey he’s taken, the people who’ve supported him, and the legacy he’s building.
As Foden continues to shine for both club and country, his decision to wear number 47 remains a defining feature of his career. It’s not just a shirt number – it’s a tribute, a statement of individuality, and a symbol of the legacy he’s creating both on and off the field.