Ferran Torres vs Phil Foden - from fierce rivalry to great friendship and the Euro 2024 final

Ferran Torres was born in Foios, Valencia in February 2000, while a few months later, Phil Foden was born in the British city of Stockport.

A decade later, their paths would cross, starting a great rivalry that would later lead to their joining Pep Guardiola's Manchester City.

This Sunday, they will face off as opponents, defending the colors of their respective national teams in the Euro 2024 final.

In 2017, Ferran and Foden were the rising stars of the minor categories of Spanish and English football. That year marked a complete dominance of their teams on the international youth football scene. Both with the number '7' on their backs, they faced off in two almost consecutive finals.

In the first final, held at the U17 European Championship in Croatia, Spain won on penalties and Ferran Torres proved his extraordinary talent.

However, football gave Foden an opportunity for revenge a few months later. At the World Youth Cup in India, the final was repeated and this time it was England who emerged victorious, with Foden standing out with a superb performance.

These two finals, held in a short period of time, helped both players advance in their careers.

After returning to their clubs, it wasn't long before they made their debuts in La Liga and the Premier League. Ferran shone at Valencia, while Foden became a star at Manchester City. Their paths crossed when the English club decided to sign Ferran, bringing them together in Guardiola's squad.

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The curiosity is that of the teams that have played in those two grand finals, only Foden and Ferran have remained active in their national teams, and this Sunday they will face off again in a grand final.

During their time at Man City, albeit shorter for Ferran, they built a close relationship. Foden helped Ferran adjust to life in England, with Ferran often serving as his driver, as Foden did not yet have a driver's license.

In fact, they still maintain a good relationship and keep in touch.

This Euro 2024 final will be another exciting chapter in the history of their rivalry and friendship. This match is expected to be a real spectacle, showing how far these two extraordinary talents have come since their joint start in international youth football. /telegraph/