Why does Phil Foden wear the 47 shirt?

Talents don't come more precocious than Phil Foden.

Touted for superstardom from a young age, Foden certainly hasn't let anybody down. Now regarded as one of the most valuable players in the world, the Mancunian has won the lot at the Etihad following Manchester City's treble triumph in 2022/23.

Pep Guardiola encouraged patience with the Cityzens academy graduate as his presence in the Spaniard's first team became more prominent, but Pep's nurturing and harbouring of the playmaker's talent has helped mould Foden into the majestic star he is today.

Foden is one of several English sensations to wear a unique shirt number, but unlike some of his compatriots, there's meaning behind the donning of his #47 shirt at City.

Phil Foden shirt number history

Why does Phil Foden wear the #47 shirt?

This isn't another case of Declan Rice or Trent Alexander-Arnold, who merely stumbled upon their distinct shirt numbers and have stuck with them since their respective first team breakthroughs. There's a story behind Foden's #47 and it's a poignant one.

The England international's grandfather, Ronnie, passed away at the age of 47 and Foden has opted to pay tribute to him by wearing the #47 shirt since he broke into Pep Guardiola's side.

Foden was said to have been offered the #10 shirt by Sergio Aguero when the Argentine revealed he would leave the club at the end of the 2020/21 season. The creative midfielder, however, turned down Aguero's proposal after giving it some thought.

"The ten shirt is such a big number in the club, but I just have a thing with 47," Foden later said. "I'd like to create my own legacy and keep that number."

Jack Grealish took Aguero's number after he arrived from Aston Villa for a then-British record £100m fee in August 2021.

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