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When Sean Wright-Phillips was 16, Nottingham Forest released him because, as it was claimed, he was too small for football. However, the 1.67-meter right-back listened to his father, former London striker Ian Wright's advice, and decided not to give up on his dream life. Self-confidence "He advised me not to let go of this sport and said that I have to believe in myself," says Wright-Phillips. And that's exactly what this player did, and his enthusiastic, action-packed playing style quickly caught the attention of youth scouts. Since then, Wright-Phillips became a regular player for the club, and in the 2003/04 season, his career at the club reached its peak - Wright-Phillips was named the club's player of the year. Stunning debut The player did not stop there. Just before the European Championship, the player was called up for friendly matches, but did not play. The player's real debut for the national team took place last Wednesday in a match against Ukraine. Wright-Phillips entered the field in the 53rd minute, and less than 20 minutes later, after an impressive solo break, he scored a fantastic goal, sealing the English victory with a score of 3-0. Father should be proud "I really enjoyed playing, especially the goal," says Wright-Phillips. "I remember taking the ball, looking up, but it was covered. So I realized I was one on one and I went for it. I broke through and shot towards the corner, and luckily it went in. It was an amazing moment for me, I think my father was really proud of me." Inherited talent Wright-Phillips' father Ian, who scored 9 goals in 33 matches for the English national team himself, watched the match against Ukraine from the stands and, not surprisingly, got very excited after his son's goal. Just at the beginning of Wright-Phillips' career, one sports commentator noted that the young man inherited his talent from his father. However, it is impossible because Ian Wright adopted Wright-Phillips when he was only 18 months old. But if the genes are not the same, the talent and abilities - maybe. Excellent role model Teaching his son self-confidence, Ian Wright instilled good habits and good manners in him year after year. Wright-Phillips remembers how with his brother Bradley he had to kick the ball into the goal a certain number of times before they were allowed into the house. Wright-Phillips communicates with his father daily and claims that his father is an excellent role model. New contract In the Premier League, Wright-Phillips made his debut in the 1999/00 season, representing the Man City team. At that time, he appeared on the field four times. Since then, he has played about 100 matches in the league, and although he was linked to clubs like Chelsea or Arsenal, he recently signed a new 4-year contract with the Manchester club. Coach satisfied Although one of Wright-Phillips' weaker aspects of the game is passing the ball (which the player himself admits), this player has many other strong points, similar to David Beckham, who plays in his position, including passing: "Sean Wright-Phillips' tempo is amazing, his good technique, he is generally very positive," says England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson. "I am very happy that his debut went so well. Every schoolboy dreams of that. He scored a beautiful goal. I think his father was also very happy."
