Jack Grealish fought back tears in an emotional interview with Sky Sports after scoring for Manchester City on the anniversary of his brother’s death.
Grealish was handed a rare start for City against Leicester on Wednesday night and opened the scoring with his first Premier League goal since December 2023 against Spurs.
He provided a tidy finish from a Savinho cut-back just two minutes into the clash and wheeled away in celebration after ending a 16-month goal drought in the league.
But while there was relief for the Aston Villa man after a difficult period with injuries and a lack of form, there was extra meaning for Grealish as the goal came on the anniversary of his brother’s death.
Grealish’s younger brother Keelan passed away on 2 April 2000 aged nine months from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) when the three-time Premier League winner was just four and the England international has always made a point of remembering him.
When he found the net, Grealish performed a knee slide and then looked up to the sky in tribute. And after the game, a teary-eyed Grealish reflected on the special moment with his family present.
“I felt like I deserved to play tonight and I was just happy,” he told Sky Sports.
“It was a nice day because my little brother passed away 25 years ago today.
“So this day is always hard in the family. My mum and dad were here and I think this day is always difficult in the family so to score and to win is brilliant.”
Grealish has scored on the anniversary of his late brother’s death before, finding the net for Villa in a 4-2 win over rivals Birmingham City. A supporter was fined for comments sent to Grealish on social media afterwards.
After his goal, Grealish took to Instagram to further pay tribute to his brother. Posting a picture of the headstone at his grave alongside an image of him celebrating, Grealish wrote: “With me always especially this day that was for you Keelan”.
He was flooded with supportive comments from his teammates, while manager Pep Guardiola calling him an “incredible human being”.
City now turn their attentions to Sunday when they play Manchester United in the derby at Old Trafford.
Featured Image Credit: Sky Sports
Topics: Jack Grealish, Manchester City, Premier League, Leicester City, Aston Villa
