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Rony Lopes can't wait for Manchester City's Champions League game with Monaco - just don't ask him who he wants to win!

Lopes wrote his name into Blues history just 8 days after his 17th birthday when he netted against Watford to become the club's youngest ever goalscorer, a record still standing.

Great expectations for the academy player did not dip when Manuel Pellegrini succeeded Roberto Mancini.

Then 18, the Portuguese starlet put in a man-of-the-match performance against West Ham to book City's place in the league cup final.

Few could have predicted it at the time, but a cup game against Watford four days later would prove to be his last in a blue shirt.

A loan to Lille followed in 2014/15 and he was then sold to Monaco at the start of the next season, a permanent deal awkwardly announced minutes after Pellegrini had declared the player not for sale.

Lopes wanted a new deal in Manchester - in a place he had embraced and a club he was a popular figure at - but they could not guarantee first team action.

"I was on my first senior year and had a solid season at Lille with more than 20 matches, a few goals and assists and my contract was expiring," he told M.E.N Sport.

"Although I wanted to renew my contract and make my way to the first team, the truth is that it would be very difficult as the quality of the squad is so high.

"I needed to play as often as possible in order to develop my game and City couldn't guarantee this to me.

"Meanwhile Monaco, who scouted me for years, showed up with big interest and made an offer to City and to me that was good for everyone, so my future moved to France.

"The project they presented was based on young players who had a big margin to grow up and improve. The coach was Portuguese and some friends of mine were already there, such as Bernardo Silva."

City will find out for themselves on Tuesday exactly how much this Monaco team have come on, although Lopes will not be part of it.

The 21-year-old is in his third consecutive year on loan at Lille, where he is enjoying his football and developing his game.

"I've been in Lille for three years now and I love it here. The city is very nice, the fans are in love with the club and we have great conditions to work.

"I feel like I am evolving in many aspects, especially physically and because I often play on the wings.

"My natural position is in the middle behind the striker or as a playmaker, but here at Lille I've been often playing on the right wing so i've learned new routines and skills.

"It has been a tough and demanding season. We were knocked out of Europa League in an early stage, then a few injuries in decisive moments have made it difficult for us.

"I feel important in the squad, I have been assisting and scoring and expect to be back next week."

Lopes has kept in close contact with Monaco throughout his loan and is looking forward to the Under-21 European Championships this summer with Portugal and then another season full of games.

As he moves forward in his career, the struggles of other City prospects to get first team minutes suggests it was a wise decision to leave when he did.

Despite that, Lopes retains happy memories of his time at the club.

"My years at City were awesome," he said.

"It was an absolute honor to represent this club and to be part of the City family.

"I'm proud to have been elected player of the year in the academy and to captain the EDS squad but what really stands out is the goal that made me City's youngest scorer of all time.

"I will never forget that feeling."