Jack Grealish: Manchester City midfielder dedicates the goal to the deceased brother, who died 25 years ago
An emotional Jack Galish dedicated his first goal in the Premier League in almost 16 months to his younger brother Keelan on the 25th anniversary of his death.
At his first start in the championship since December, the Manchester City midfielder scored a second minute open In the 2-0 victory against Leicester at the Etihad stadium.
As he celebrated, it seemed that Grealish was simply happy to score a rare start with an even rarer goal of the League, ending an end to a long wait for 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace on December 16, 2023.
It was only after the final whistle that revealed the touching anniversary of the family he was marking.
Grealish was four when his brother Keelan died in April 2000, at the age of only nine months due to the sudden child death syndrome (SIDS).
The English midfielder spoke of the anniversary of Keelan’s death when he spoke to Sky Sports after the game.
“My little brother died 25 years ago today,” he said. “This day is difficult for the family.
“My mom and dad were here, so marking and winning was brilliant.”
Grealish later paid a tribute on Instagram, externalWriting: “With me always this day … that was for you Keelan.”
The director of the city Pep Guardiola said he was not aware of the anniversary, but paid tribute to Grealish’s compassionate nature. The 29 -year -old has a sister, Holly, 21 years old, who has a brain paralysis.
“Jack is an incredible human being,” said Guardiola. “It’s incredibly generous.
“I didn’t know and I can’t imagine how difficult it can be with mom, dad and sister. It is nice that I remember him, this day. I am sure they remember every single day. But it’s nice to score.”
It remains to be seen if the selection of Grealish in the number 10 role was because Guardiola was resting key players – such as Phil Foden and Kevin de Bruyne – for Manchester’s derby on Sunday at Old Trafford when City tries to avenge the United victory at the Ethhad in December.
However, this was a useful opportunity for Grealish to push his statements for a normal starting point in a team that has hurt badly this season and is now facing at least five weeks without his main threat to the goal in Erling Haaland, who is injured.
The belief is that Galish, who has remained two years on his contract, will decide his future in summer while Guardiola prepares for another vast recruitment campaign, potentially on both sides of the club’s world cup in June and July.
Guardiola did not hear Galalish played at the same level against Leicester in the number 10 position as he did in his usual left role against Plymouth championship struggles in the fifth round of the Fa Cup last month.
“He is at ease playing on the side, but he likes to play in the middle because he played free,” said the head of the city. “He has the ability to control the ball and pass through the lines.
“I know it’s not easy when you don’t play regularly. He was really good against Plymouth, much better than today, but I’m happy for him. It’s not easy for people in the middle when they defend themselves at the bottom.”
