Nico O’Reilly outlines ambitions after claiming PFA young player award
The 21-year-old had an impressive 2025-26 campaign in which he helped City to a domestic cup double and England to third place at the World Cup.
Nico O’Reilly is targeting “bigger and better things” after capping his outstanding breakthrough season with the PFA Young Player of the Year prize.
The 21-year-old was named winner of the award on Tuesday in recognition of an impressive 2025-26 campaign in which he helped City to a domestic cup double and England to third place at the World Cup.
Asked what he hoped to achieve next, O’Reilly said: “Hopefully bigger and better things.
“I want to go to the next step in my game, I want to go to the next level.
“That’s all I’m trying to do, work every day to try and improve and get better. That’s my goal, that’s my aim.
“I want goals, I want assists, I want to keep playing for my country, and I want to win trophies.”
O’Reilly came through City’s youth ranks as an attacking midfielder but his first opportunities to establish himself in the senior side came at left-back.
He said: “It all just happened so quick. The chances came, (I had) a bit of luck and I took those chances. It was an amazing season, one I’m very proud of.”
Having emerged under Pep Guardiola, O’Reilly is now preparing for a new chapter at City under Enzo Maresca.
O’Reilly said: “Obviously Pep was at the club for 10 years. He did such a good job and he was an amazing manager. It was so good to learn stuff from him.
“Enzo’s come in and he’s been very positive since he came in. The sessions have been very intense. He’s very demanding, very passionate and he’s a very, very good manager.”