John Stones reveals Barnsley dream come true after UEFA Champions League highs | OneFootball

Manchester City star John Stones has explained how his football dreams first came true when appearing for Barnsley earlier in his professional playing career.

The England international has experienced the ultimate football journey, having developed through the English Football League before earning himself a move into the Premier League with Everton in January 2013.

Having been signed by the Merseyside club for a transfer fee in the region of £3 million, his abilities at playing the ball out from the back with composure and accuracy caught the eyes of the very best manager in the game in Pep Guardiola.

Stones became one of the Catalan’s first-ever signings upon his arrival at the Etihad Stadium in the summer of 2016, with Manchester City investing around £50 million in the youngster’s talents, in a move that has no doubt paid dividends for all concerned.

Speaking during " target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">a recent conversation with BBC Sport, John Stones reflected on arguably his finest moment in his career in the 2023 UEFA Champions League final, especially given the complex role undertaken in the centre of the park for Pep Guardiola’s side.

“That was a different role, I actually played as a number eight in that,” Stones said. “But it’s something that I’m so proud of in the biggest occasion, and to play how we did, and how I did in a role that I’d not played in really before. And I honestly really enjoyed it.”

He continued by reflecting, “I remember my dad saying I used to sit in the kitchen watching the TV when it was the Champions League by myself, so to then be on the pitch with them at the end of the game taking pictures with the trophy is something that I’ll never forget.”

On whether he could have ever imagined taking on the career he has done for both club and country, Stones responded, “No, definitely not.

“To have played at Barnsley was a dream, and then to play in the Premier League I never thought I’d play in the Premier League, and never mind for England. To have completed or lived my dreams is special, really special.”

John Stones remains an integral part of Pep Guardiola’s plans despite recruitment in defence having taken place throughout his time working under the Catalan coach, and took on a new role during the latest outing for Manchester City.

With the score set at 1-2 against Arsenal heading into the closing moments of the game, Stones was thrust on by his manager to take on the striker role alongside Erling Haaland, before striking home in the eighth minute of added time to rescue a point for the club.