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Jack Grealish revealed he scored on the 25th anniversary of his little brother’s death in an emotional interview after Manchester City’s 2-0 win over Leicester City.
Grealish netted inside two minutes at the Etihad to get Pep Guardiola’s men off to the perfect start – almost 16 months after his last Premier League goal.
The 29-year-old has weathered the storm of criticism after not scoring in the league since December 16, 2023, and amid doubts over his future with the champions.
After scoring, he pointed his fingers upwards and lifted his eyes to the sky in celebration, and afterwards he opened up on why he was so emotional.
‘My little brother passed away 25 years ago today,’ he told Premier League Productions, via Sky Sports.
‘This day is hard on the family but I was happy to score. My mum and dad were here.
Jack Grealish dedicated his goal against Leicester City to his dead brother, who died in 2000
Grealish, who scored his first Premier League goal in 16 months, explained that the anniversary of his brother’s death aged nine months is an emotional day for him and his family
The Manchester City star said the day is ‘hard on the family’ since baby Keelan’s passing
‘This day is always difficult in the family, so to score and to win was brilliant.’
His younger brother, Keelan, died from cot death aged nine months old in 2000.
He and his family have a gravestone in tribute to Keelan and Grealish has repeatedly paid tribute to him.
Grealish dedicated his first senior goal to Keelan when he was on loan at Notts County in 2013-14, and dedicated another with Aston Villa in November 2018.
After the win over Leicester, which lifted City to fourth in the Premier League, Pep Guardiola said: ‘Jack is an incredible human being; in terms of gestures and for the other people, he’s incredibly generous!
‘I didn’t know that. I can’t imagine how tough it could be for mum, dad, sister, and all the family. It’s good on this day to remember him, I’m pretty sure they remember every single day.’
Keelan’s gravestone, which features a statue of a bay angel, reads: ‘Keelan Daniel Grealish: 25th June 1999-2nd April 2000.
‘We sheltered you with tenderness, surrounded you with love, our happy special little boy now playing up above.
‘We hold you close within our hearts, and there you shall remain, to be with us throughout our lives until we meet again.’
