Micah Hamilton expressed his speechlessness after making a memorable debut for Manchester City in the Champions League.
The 20-year-old, once a ball-boy for the English giants, capitalised on his chance in the "dead" group-stage match against Red Star Belgrade, where manager Pep Guardiola implemented several changes to the lineup.
Hamilton, a City Academy graduate, opened the scoring with an impressive strike in the first half and later secured a late penalty. The holders emerged victorious with a 3-2 win, concluding Group G with a perfect record of six wins from six matches.
Speaking to the club's website, Hamilton said, "I don't even know what to say. I started just trying to ease into the game, and then the moment came, and I just took the opportunity. I didn't know what to do to celebrate! It's not even sunk in yet. I'm just taking it all in. It's amazing."
Having joined City at the age of nine, injuries had delayed Hamilton's entry into the first team. However, he showcased his talent in Belgrade alongside fellow academy graduates Rico Lewis and Oscar Bobb, who scored City's second goal.
Reflecting on the experience, Hamilton said, "The academy system is top at City, and especially when you train with the first team day to day, you improve every day. They make you feel comfortable and welcome, and I just felt myself on the pitch. I'm just going to keep my head down, keep working, and hopefully chances will come."
Hamilton and Bobb provided City with a 2-0 lead before Red Star's Hwang In-beom pulled one back. Kalvin Phillips, making a rare start, extended City's lead with an 85th-minute penalty, while Aleksandar Katai scored a late consolation for the hosts.
Phillips, who scored his first goal for City since joining from Leeds last year, faces transfer speculation during the January window. Guardiola commented, "I don't know what is going to happen. Now he is here. There are a lot of games until the end of January; hopefully, he can help us."
