And Wales’ new sensation now wants to make his breakthrough with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
The 18-year-old — City’s fastest player ahead of Kyle Walker and Leroy Sane — made his bow off the bench as Ryan Giggs’ side lost 1-0 to Albania on Tuesday.
Matondo said: “It’s always been Wales for me. This is what I’ve been building up to all my life.
“As a youngster I was watching Gareth — now I'm playing with him. It still seems crazy to me to be on the same pitch as him, train with him, and be around him.
“It’s the same with Joe Allen and Aaron Ramsey — it’s just crazy for me.
“I wouldn’t say I’ve fully broken through at international level, but I’m getting a step closer.
“I’m working towards the same at club level. It will be difficult but that’s the path I’ve chosen.
“I’m sure playing against top international players will help me at club level.
“If I can do it at international level, it will show I can do it at my club.”
Liverpool-born Matondo grew up in Cardiff and could still choose to play for England at senior level as the Albania game was only a friendly.
But that looks unlikely and the future looks bright for a teen who is yet to play a minute for Guardiola’s champions.
Wales boss Giggs slated his team for a “complacent” performance in Elbasan — the worst result of his tenure so far.
Bekim Balaj scored the only goal from the penalty spot after Harry Wilson fouled Taulant Xhaka, brother of Arsenal’s Granit.
It ruined what should have been a night of celebration for Chris Gunter, who captained Wales as he became his country’s record cap-holder with 93.
But Matondo added: “I’m happy with Wales and with Ryan, of course.
“He’s given me an opportunity and I am grateful for that. It was a dream, even though I was a bit nervous.”
MAT'S CITY'S FASTEST SPEED MERCHANT
WALES handed a competitive debut to Manchester City's fastest player on Tuesday night.
Wonderkid Rabbi Matondo, 18, was quicker than Raheem Sterling, Kyle Walker and Leroy Sane at the Premier League champions’ end-of-season 20m sprint tests with a time of 2.62 seconds.
Matondo said: “We did fitness tests, 20m sprints and other things as well. It turned out my time was the fastest in the academy and it later came out it was the fastest in the whole club.
“As you know there’s some really fast players at Manchester City. I’m not really bothered about it, but of course everyone’s going to talk about it. There’s nothing I can do about that.”
Click here to read more about City's exciting young prodigy here…
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