Foden said he celebrated his 11th birthday watching the 2011 Champions League final at home with his father when Barcelona put Manchester United to the sword at the Wembley Stadium.
The Spanish giants put up one of the best performances the Champions League final has ever seen to beat Sir Alex Ferguson’s side 3-1, thanks to goals from Pedro, David Villa and Lionel Messi.
Foden will turn 21 on Friday a day before his boyhood club’s maiden appearance in the Champions League final and will be hoping to hoist one of the most coveted trophies in club football under Guardiola, a man who knows what it takes to win such cups.
“When I used to watch Barcelona as a kid, it was unbelievable; the way he set them up and how they played one-touch and two-touch football was unbelievable, and I never would have thought that he would be my coach some day,” Foden said.
“I feel very lucky to have him as a coach and I enjoy it every day, working with him. I just remember growing up and they dominated football for years, winning everything.
“I just remember always watching it with my Dad and thinking: ‘Wow! What a team this is and what a coach they have!’ He has tried to bring that kind of football here and it seems to be working.
“Definitely, they played a big part in my career, watching them when I was younger, and it helps as well, now that the manager’s here. I understand how he plays and how he wants to play. It helps a lot.”
