Rico Lewis: I will go to Muay Thai gym to exercise during the offseason. Every time I step on the court, I just want to win

October 1: Manchester City player Rico Lewis has just signed a new contract with Manchester City. He also accepted an exclusive interview and talked about topics such as his feelings as a local player, his love for Manchester and his personal background.

Where is a "one of your own people" bringing special challenges? Will local talented players face higher expectations?

Yes, I think so. Nowadays, everything is very in-depth. People may have been paying attention to my progress since I was 16, and sometimes you feel that pressure and feel that you need to go further because you have been here for so long. But at the same time, you can feel loved inside Manchester City, and you are surrounded by people you have known for many years, so there are two sides to it, but I really don't think there is any negative impact.

As a Manchester City fan, will this help your mentality on the court?

Of course there is. I myself was a fan myself. When I stand in their position, the only thing you want to see is that the team wins, and that's how I feel every time I step on the court. I just want to win for this team, this jersey and those supporters.

Can you describe what it means to be a Manchester person?

is not easy to say! (He said with a smile). I think the only way I can describe is that when I go to London, I just don’t feel like home, and when you go back to Manchester, everything feels right, you come home, surrounded by people you know, familiar faces, friends and family. You know where you are going, and being familiar with every road here feels like a very close community where everyone is pushing each other to do better. All my friends and family are here, everything I know since childhood is here, and I have witnessed the progress of the city as I grew up, so this is, and will always be my home.

Are you and O'Reilly, who also comes from youth training, also are good friends off the court?

Most of the time we are busy with our own affairs, but I grew up with Nico and have been on the same team since the age group under 8, so I think we have known each other for a long time. But since he entered the first team, we have become closer than before, and we often go to play slab tennis together. But overall, our relationship is very good.

Your father is good at Muay Thai and owns a boxing gym. Will you practice now?

Usually during the offseason, I will do some training, just for fitness, not for anyone to fight! (He said with a smile). Obviously, I practiced as a kid and participated in some confrontations, but at one stage I had to choose between football and Muay Thai, which was not a difficult choice when Manchester City offered me a contract at the time. But that's something I really like, and my dad owned a boxing gym before I was born, so I always get in touch with it and I think it helps me grow up today, both on and off the court.

Finally, let’s talk about your feelings about renewing a new five-year contract with the club.

It is an absolute honor and privilege to represent Manchester City every day, and it is also true to be able to play in front of our fantastic fans who have always been very supportive of me. I will give everything I have and work hard to help us achieve more success this season and beyond. With such a world-class roster, I am very excited about the club's future.