Born in London to Ghanaian parents Larry and Dela, Semenyo and his brother Jai were raised in Greenwich, where a football was rarely out of reach.

His father, who lined up alongside Tony Yeboah in Ghana's top division, urged him from an early age to strike paper, cans or any object with either foot, so it is no wonder Semenyo became comfortable on both sides.

By six the habit felt natural and the idea of turning professional took hold.

His parents spotted the talent and arranged trials at Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Millwall, then an eight-week spell at Crystal Palace when he was 15.

None of those routes worked out.

At 16 he felt deflated and ready to walk away from the game.

That is when Hockaday appeared.

Semenyo attended a trial at Bisham Abbey simply to gauge his fitness against other prospects, unaware the session would redirect his future.

"When I first came across him he was lost," Hockaday told BBC Sport. "He looked lost. He talked lost. There was a vacancy in his eyes. There was no belief. He was looking for somebody to help find himself."

Former Forest Green Rovers manager Hockaday happened to be at Bisham Abbey and was asked to assist with the drills and matches Semenyo joined.

He was surprised the teenager's name was not mentioned afterward.

"He didn't rip it up, didn't look anything particular, but he had moments and I believe that's what these trials are all about. I just saw a young lad who could deal with the football with both feet - inside, outside - without even thinking about it," Hockaday said.

"He wasn't in the greatest physical shape, but he moved well. He had a good pair of shoulders and he looked like physically he was going to become a specimen in the right environment."

Hockaday assumed their paths would not cross again, yet something lingered.

"I am good at spotting talent," he said. "I've described Antoine to his family as an itch that I just couldn't get rid of."

The itch had to be scratched. Hockaday tracked down Semenyo's parents, introduced himself and offered to help.

"We met up and somehow, in some way, they trusted their son into my hands. And that's when our relationship started."

Semenyo signed for a Championship club but at 18 was sent on loan to non-league Bath City.

Coach Jerry Gill believes that exposure to men's football shaped the physical player seen today.

"When he was playing with players of his own age he relied on the fact he would just be stronger than them - but when he came up against men he had to learn how to protect with his arm, shield the ball, spin and slide," said Gill.

Gill shifted him from striker to the flank and admired how quickly he absorbed advice.

"He was a sponge," said Gill. "He was accepted with the team - and that's not easy for a young lad coming on loan. His attitude had to be right and it was. He had that big smile on his face that you still see now."

A loan to League Two Newport County followed, yielding three goals in 21 games during the first half of 2018-19.

Strong FA Cup displays drew interest from Chelsea and prompted Bristol City to recall him.

The chance to shine at a higher level arrived, yet results were mixed.

His first start came in March 2019 with the Robins chasing the play-offs, but he was substituted before the hour as his side trailed Leeds 1-0 at home.

A month later he entered as a substitute against Derby and was sent off in a 2-0 defeat.

Further setbacks followed, including a modest loan at Sunderland and repeated changes of manager at Ashton Gate.

The turning point came with Nigel Pearson's arrival.

Through choice and the need to reduce the wage bill, Pearson turned to youth, placing Semenyo and Alex Scott at the forefront.

Experienced forward Nahki Wells became a mentor and described "a young player who was raw but full of talent".

"I remember being that guy he came and had chats with. I was almost like a big brother," Wells told BBC Sport.

"There's nothing he didn't have. He had the pace, the ability and a skill level that was underappreciated at the time.

"It was very hard to stop that. It was like a puzzle and he was just putting his pieces together to become this article that he is today."

Progress followed: eight goals and 12 assists in 2021-22, then eight goals and two assists in 2022-23.

Premier League interest grew, with Southampton and Crystal Palace among the clubs linked.

Semenyo secured his top-flight move in January 2023, joining Bournemouth for £10m on a four-and-a-half-year deal.

His impact on the south coast is clear: 32 goals and 13 assists in 110 appearances across all competitions.

He thrived in Andoni Iraola's high-energy, counter-pressing system.

Ten goals in the first half of the 2025-26 season caught the eye of Pep Guardiola.

A £65m transfer to Manchester City in January represented the summit of his climb through the leagues, a step even Hockaday had not foreseen.

This summer Semenyo arrives at the World Cup with Ghana after scoring 11 goals and providing three assists for City.

He finished the domestic campaign as an FA Cup hero, netting the winner against Chelsea in the final at Wembley.

"When I see this young lad and I see what he's created, where he's got to and where he's going to now it's a bit mind-blowing for me," said Hockaday, who still views Semenyo as "humble" and "one of the good guys".

"After rejections I would say to Antoine don't prove them wrong, prove you right, prove me right. All he was doing was proving himself right.

"I kept in touch with him and usually at the end of every season we'll meet up for a few hours and have a chat and discuss things on and off the field. If there's anything he's not sure about he knows he can call me and he does.

"I just feel pride being able to say that I've been part of his journey."