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Jack Grealish Dedicates Premier League Goal to Late Brother
An emotional Jack Grealish marked a significant personal milestone by dedicating his first Premier League goal in nearly 16 months to his deceased brother, Keelan, on the 25th anniversary of his passing. Grealish scored the opening goal just two minutes into Manchester City’s 2-0 victory over Leicester City at the Etihad Stadium.
This match was notable as it marked Grealish’s first league start since December, and the goal was a welcome return to scoring form, breaking a long drought that began after a match against Crystal Palace on December 16, 2023.
The depth of Grealish’s celebration transcended mere joy over scoring; it held profound personal significance that became clear only after the final whistle. He revealed that April 2000 marked the loss of his brother, who died at just nine months due to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), an event that has deeply impacted his family since. Grealish was only four years old at the time.
In a post-match interview with Sky Sports, Grealish reflected on the somber anniversary, stating, “My little brother passed away 25 years ago today. This day is hard on the family.” He expressed additional joy that both his parents were present for the match, saying, “To score and to win was brilliant.”
Grealish later took to Instagram to honor Keelan, writing, “With me always especially this day … that was for you Keelan.”
Manchester City’s manager, Pep Guardiola, while initially unaware of the anniversary, lauded Grealish’s character, highlighting his generosity and empathy. Grealish is also a supportive brother to his sister, Holly, who has cerebral palsy. Guardiola remarked, “Jack is an incredible human being, incredibly generous. I can’t imagine how tough it can be with mum and dad and sister. It is good they remember him this day; I’m sure they remember him every single day.” He added that scoring was a positive way to honor Keelan’s memory.
As for the tactical implications of Grealish’s performance, questions arise regarding whether this start in a more central role was due to Guardiola resting key players ahead of the upcoming Manchester derby against United. This match is especially significant as City seeks to reclaim momentum after United’s prior victory at the Etihad.
The match provided Grealish with a crucial opportunity to assert his place in the starting lineup, particularly with Manchester City currently facing a challenging period due to the absence of their leading scorer, Erling Haaland, who is sidelined with an injury.
Looking ahead, Grealish, who has two years remaining on his contract, is expected to make decisions regarding his future during the summer, amidst anticipated recruitment activities by Guardiola, potentially surrounding the Club World Cup in June and July.
In terms of performance, Guardiola noted that Grealish did not perform at the same impactful level against Leicester as he did previously in his more familiar left-wing role during the FA Cup. He stated, “He is comfortable playing on the side but he likes to play in the middle because he used to play free.” Despite this, Guardiola acknowledged the challenge of maintaining form when not playing regularly but expressed satisfaction with Grealish’s contribution, particularly in the context of the game’s defensive demands.
Source
www.bbc.com