• iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • Lad Files
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Extinct
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content
Jack Grealish explains heartwarming celebration after goal against Iran

Home> Sport

Published 20:43 21 Nov 2022 GMT

Jack Grealish explains heartwarming celebration after goal against Iran

He came off the bench, scored and then paid a touching tribute in England's World Cup opener

Jake Massey

Jake Massey

Jack Grealish has explained the heartwarming meaning behind his celebration against Iran today (Monday 21 November).

The Man City star came off the bench to score England's final goal in the 6-2 victory over Iran, dispatching from close range after Callum Wilson's selfless cut back.

After putting it away, the 27-year-old waved his arms by his sides in a daft fashion - but it turns out the celebration was actually surprisingly meaningful.

Advert

Watch Grealish explain the celebration here:

Speaking after the match, Grealish told the BBC: "I met young Finlay about a month ago, and yeah, got on obviously really well with him.

"Him obviously having cerebral palsy like my little sister as well, so you know, he asked me to do a celebration for him - and luckily for him it came at the World Cup."

Advert

He added: "For me, it's just doing a celebration, but for for him that will mean the world to him I'm sure, especially me doing it at the World Cup - so Finlay, that one's for you."

Grealish dedicated the goal to Finlay.
Twitter

City and England fan Finlay wrote to his favourite player earlier this year, referencing Grealish's close bond with sister Holly, who also has the condition.

"I wish there were more people in the world just like you who treat people with disabilities the same as anyone else," the 11-year-old wrote.

Grealish followed up with a letter of his own and also made a surprise visit to meet Finlay in person at a football session run by the City In The Community programme.

Advert

It was there that he pledged to dedicate his next goal to Finlay, and the young lad initially suggested Grealish celebrate by doing the worm.

Unfortunately, Grealish said he couldn't actually do the worm, so they reached the glorious compromise we all got to witness today.

In another post-match interview, Grealish told ITV: "I said to him that the next time I score I would do the celebration for (him).

"I don't know how he'd rate my dance moves – to be honest I ain't the best dancer, unless it's later on in the night – but, honestly, I had to do it and I think he'll be buzzing at home that it happened in a World Cup instead of the Premier League."

He added: "To score a World Cup goal is something you dream of when you're a little kid. To do that was unbelievable."

Advert

England manager Gareth Southgate hailed Grealish for his gesture.

Southgate said: "He's a lovely human being. He obviously has a situation with his own sister and that would mean that he's very aware of the power he can have.

"He's a kind person, so we’re very fortunate. We work with a group of players who have a hunger to play, they're a pleasure to work with.

"They have humility, but they also think about this and it's unusual to have a group like we've got."

Featured Image Credit: BBC/Alamy

Topics: Sport, Football, World Cup

Jake Massey
Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

X

@jakesmassey

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

a day ago
  • a day ago

    Pippa Middleton was turned away from Wimbledon's elite royal box after breaking major rule

    The sister of the future queen of England was reportedly turned away from the elite seating area

    News
  • a day ago

    Former Arsenal footballer Thomas Partey charged with five counts of rape

    The former Arsenal footballer has been charged

    News

    breaking

  • a day ago

    Wimbledon breaks iconic dress code after 148 years following death of Diogo Jota

    If players wish to pay tribute to Diogo Jota's memory then they'll be allowed to break the dress code

    News
  • a day ago

    Donald Trump announces UFC title fight on grounds of The White House in front of 20,000 people

    Donald Trump's America is just one big TV spectacle

    News
  • Donald Trump speaks out after Iran attacks on US airbases
  • Russia gives 'nuclear disaster' statement after warning US it opened 'Pandora's box' by attacking Iran
  • Olympian OnlyFans star explains what controversial 'twerking' celebration was actually about
  • Sprinter gets lucrative offer after his penis fell out his shorts during race