O'Reilly 'striving for better' after PFA award

England’s Nico O’Reilly says he’s hoping to follow in the footsteps of some of the previous winners of the PFA Young Player of the Year.

The Manchester City and Three Lions ace received the award for the 2025-26 season at the PFA Awards in his hometown of Manchester on Tuesday night, after his breakthrough campaign with both club and country.

And after seeing the list of players to have received the award before him which includes the likes of Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Morgan Rogers, Phil Foden, Wayne Rooney, David Beckham and Paul Gascoigne to name but a few, the 21 year old spoke of his honour to be added to such a prestigious list.

“I’ve had a look at the list, and there’s a lot of English players,” he said.

"Obviously, some of the players who have won it before me have gone on to do massive things themselves, so I'm buzzing to win it.

"I'm striving for bigger and better things now. I want to go into this season and achieve more than I've already achieved and just to create more moments and that's what I'm going to try and do this season.”

With all of the PFA awards voted for by fellow professionals, O’Reilly believes it’s one of the most prestigious honours to receive, especially on the back of a season which saw him become a first-team regular with City and also make his senior debut for England before going on to play in the FIFA World Cup 2026.

"It means a lot to be recognised by the players that you play with and play around so it's a huge award to win,” he added.

"To even be part of this team [Manchester City] is a great feeling, but to help them out to win trophies or win games is an amazing feeling.

"I came through the academy and I've been here all my life so it means even more.

"I've always believed in myself and I've always believed in my abilities, but getting to this stage and being in the best league in the world, it's obviously tough but I'm so happy to win this award and even just to be in the nominations with all these great players.”

O’Reilly will be hoping to feature in England’s first camp of the new campaign in September and October, with four UEFA Nations League games to come.

Tickets for the opening game with Spain have sold out, but there are seats available for the game with Czechia on Tuesday 3 October.