Phil Foden reveals the meaning behind his new celebration and the nickname he’s been given by teammates

Phil Foden has explained the significance of his latest celebration, which he unveiled during his remarkable hat-trick for Manchester City against Brentford on Monday.

Despite City trailing 1-0 due to an unexpected Neal Maupay goal against the flow of the game, Foden rose to the occasion by securing his second Premier League hat-trick.

He equalized just before half-time, then headed City into the lead, and finally extended their lead to 3-1 with a goal assisted by the delightful teamwork of Erling Haaland.

Following each of his three goals, Foden replicated a gun-like gesture with his hands while kneeling on the pitch. This celebration bore a resemblance to the iconic gesture associated with former Manchester United, PSG, and Napoli striker Edinson Cavani.

However, Foden, who was awarded the Man of the Match for his outstanding performance, disclosed that his new celebration is directly inspired by the comments his teammates have been making about him during training sessions.

During an interview with City presenter FG on the club’s Matchday Live coverage, Foden explained, “It’s a bit of banter between me and the lads. They say I shoot a lot in the five-a-side games. They call me the sniper.”

With eight goals and seven assists in the Premier League this season, Foden has flourished in a central attacking midfield role.

Guardiola emphasized the significance of Foden’s performance in the press conference following the Brentford victory, stating, “We needed it today.” He praised Foden’s influential season, highlighting his contributions in terms of goals and assists, as well as his ability to play with simplicity and aggression. Guardiola commended Foden’s knack for scoring goals and posing a threat near the opponent’s box, underscoring his exceptional talent. Despite his young age, Foden’s extensive experience with over 250 games for City demonstrates the impact he has had since joining the club.