Why does Phil Foden wear the number 47? Man City star turned down Sergio Aguero’s shirt to create club ‘legacy’
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Phil Foden is a superstar for Manchester City, but he still opts to wear an unconventional number at his boyhood club.
The City midfielder, who won the PFA Players’ Player of the Year last season, continues to dazzle in his now iconic No.47.
The England international enjoyed a stellar 23/24 campaign for City, recording his best-ever goalscoring season in the Premier League.
He has had more struggles this campaign, however, he’s started to replicate his best form again at the start of 2025.
Attacking midfielders such as Foden traditionally wear No.10.
However, Jack Grealish claimed those digits when he swapped Aston Villa for Man City in the summer of 2021.
So instead, Foden wears 47 and here’s why he dons the number…
Why does Foden wear number 47?
47 was Foden’s first shirt number at City and has worn it since his debut for the Citizens in 2017.
And the reason he has held onto the shirt is incredibly heartwarming and poignant.
Foden’s late grandfather Ronnie, passed away when he was just 47, and the England international uses his shirt as a constant tribute to his grandad.
Foden also has a tattoo of the number behind his right ear.
Ronnie was a huge City fan his whole life and would undoubtedly be extremely proud of his grandson’s achievements, considering he is just 24.
Speaking to the Daily Mail last year, he explained: "Being a young player you don't have many options when it comes to what you can have on your shirt.
"I had a few numbers sent to me and none of them really meant anything to me apart from that one, the 47.
"That was the age my grandad was when he died. I was young when we lost him. I remember going to Wales with him and on a few other trips. My dad says he loved playing football with me.
“I asked my dad if he would be happy if I wore that number. He said it would be amazing so I took the shirt number and I have loved it ever since.
"I have it tattooed on me now and it's a shirt I don't ever see changing. It's nice to make your own legacy.
“It's a strange number nobody else will go for so hopefully in years to come when I have finished, 47 at City will be remembered for Phil Foden."
Foden has had the opportunity to change shirts but he decided against it a few years ago.
Once it was announced that Sergio Aguero would depart the Etihad in 2021, the Argentine offered his number ten shirt to the local star.
But Foden turned it down because he wanted people to remember the number 47.
Speaking about Aguero’s offer in 2022, he said: “I did think about it.
“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.”
And he is creating his own legacy at Man City, becoming a key cog in Guardiola’s system and starring for multiple seasons.
Foden has scored over 50 Premier League goals, and he continues to be a constant threat for the reigning champions.
After a slow start to the 24/25 campaign due to injuries and illness, he’s back in the fold and starring.
A fifth straight top-flight title would make history and to achieve that wearing the No.47 would mean a lot to Foden.
However, after City’s woeful form at the end of 2024, it’s looking unlikely they will be challenging at the top this time around.
