Micah Hamilton’s fantasy debut goal for Manchester City came on the one-year anniversary of receiving injections for a catastrophic ankle injury, and the 20-year-old admits to feeling “jelly legs” when learning Pep Guardiola had chosen him to play against Red Star Belgrade.

Micah Hamilton, a Manchester City player since the age of five, scores against Red Star Belgrade.

After 19 minutes of the final Champions League group game at the Rajko Mitic Stadium, the winger scored with a good run on the right and a powerful shot. He also won the penalty in the second half that Kalvin Phillips converted for City’s third goal in the 3-2 victory.

“I walked into the meeting room [on Tuesday] and Pep was going through the team and he said my name on the right wing,” Hamilton explained. I was in shock and had jelly legs. It was all insane. I couldn’t sleep last night since I was taking everything in. I walked onto the field and said to myself, ‘I need to play without fear.’ I eased into it for the first 10 minutes and then seized the opportunity when it presented itself. It was incredible. To achieve it for the best club in the world, and the club I’ve been attending since I was five, is incredible.

“I informed [my family] immediately after training yesterday.” They were made up just for me and wished me luck. All of my family – mother, father, cousins, and even friends back home – wished me luck, and I will be able to speak with them after.”

Hamilton, who hails from Crumpsall in Manchester, has been plagued by a number of ailments in recent seasons. “What’s mad is that a year ago today [Wednesday] I was getting injections in my ankle and now I’ve scored on my debut for the first team,” said the Uruguayan forward.

Oscar Bobb, a 20-year-old who started at No. 9, also scored his first goal for City on his 13th appearance. Rico Lewis, another academy product, was named to the starting XI.

“It was amazing to see we’ve come through from a young age, and doing it on the big stage was something else,” Hamilton told reporters. “I just want to push on and try to get more minutes, working day to day in training with my head down and hopefully the opportunities will come.”

“It feels so good [to score],” Bobb added. It was a very difficult game, and there was always pressure on my back, but it was a turning point in my confidence.”