Jack Grealish honoured his late brother by dedicating his goal against Leicester City to him on the 25th anniversary of his passing. Grealish was just four years old when his younger brother, Keelan, passed away at nine months old in April 2000. The Manchester City player scored the opening goal in their 2-0 victory at Etihad Stadium and later shared a heartfelt message on Instagram.
Grealish expressed his emotions by writing, “With me always, especially this day. That was for you, Keelan.” His manager at Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, praised Grealish’s courage and described him as an exceptional person after the match.
Pep Guardiola commended Grealish’s bravery and character following the game. He said he was unaware of the anniversary but acknowledged how challenging it must be for Grealish’s family. “Jack is an incredible human being,” Guardiola stated. “It’s good that this day he remembers him. I’m pretty sure they remember every single day.”
The goal marked Grealish’s first Premier League score since December 2023 when he had a streak of scoring in three consecutive matches. His goal came just 109 seconds into the game, making it City’s fastest top-flight goal since Phil Foden scored after only 79 seconds against West Ham in May 2024.
Pep Guardiola also highlighted Grealish’s performance on the field and hinted at more opportunities for him in a central role. “He likes to play in the middle,” Guardiola noted. “He’s comfortable playing on the side. Always between the lines, he has ability.”
Guardiola expressed happiness for Grealish despite not playing regularly and praised his recent FA Cup performance as well. “He scored a goal and made a good game,” he added.
This emotional tribute from Jack Grealish underscores his connection to his family and highlights his dedication both on and off the pitch.