Star who scored 6 goals in 7 matches is ready to shine for Man City

Last summer, Farid Alfa-Ruprecht’s life changed as his childhood dream came true.
The 18-year-old winger signed his first professional contract with Manchester City, the reigning Champions League winners and one of the biggest clubs in the world. In an exclusive interview with Transfermarkt, the young player reflected on his unique journey from Germany’s second division to the Premier League.

Alfa-Ruprecht said, “It’s surreal that a kid from Wilhelmsburg (Hamburg) is now playing for the biggest club in the world. My mother didn’t know what we needed for training. After calling my aunt, we went to a store and bought some running pants and a T-shirt. My uncle also gave me a pair of used football boots.”

Alfa-Ruprecht describes himself as a kid who grew up on the pitch, a street footballer. In addition to strengths like ball control and speed, his playing style is remembered for its creativity, reflected in his dribbling skills and spatial awareness. The young star added, “Street football also boosts your skills. You learn to use tricks to beat bigger and stronger players in a confined space.”

He joined Man City in September 2022 and played for the U18 team. Since the summer of 2024, the young talent has been part of Man City’s U21 squad and quickly developed into a key player. In his first five Premier League 2 matches, the young German scored 4 goals, and in his debut match in the UEFA Youth League, he scored a brace against Inter Milan.

Having been at Man City for 3 years, he is still impressed by the Sky Blues’ training complex: “At first, I was really a bit overwhelmed. Everything is calculated down to the smallest detail. Nothing is left to chance. If a training session is supposed to last 60 minutes, it lasts exactly 60 minutes. Even as a youth player, you have video analysts or nutritionists at your side. The conditions here are truly luxurious. However, I have to admit that sometimes I miss having a pack of Toffifee or Knoppers in the evening. But I happily give that up for my dream of professional football.”

His impressive performances with the U21 team have also earned him the opportunity to train with the professional players. Alfa-Ruprecht said, “What inspired me from day one is the winning mentality that is always present on the pitch. It’s really exciting to train and play with the best players in the world. Pep Guardiola is an incredible coach. He sees the smallest details—things you would never even think about.”