Jack Grealish has confirmed his goal celebration against Iran at the 2022 World Cup was for a young fan called Finlay.
Many suspected Grealish’s dance moves were a throwback to a recent encounter with Finlay, a Manchester City fan with Cerebral Palsy who met his idol in a video that later went viral.
Grealish’s sister is also living with the disease and Finlay wrote to the City star to say he was his favorite player and a good brother to his sister. In turn, Grealish went to meet Finlay and thank him for his letter. In the video, which you can watch below, Finlay asks his hero to run the worm the next time he scores, to which the England star laughs and admits he couldn’t do that. Ultimately, the pair settle on the celebration that Grealish appeared to perform in Qatar.
Grealish delighted England fans in a post-match interview with the BBC, confirming that the promise made to Finlay was behind his spectacular moves.
“I met young Finally about a month ago,” Grealish told the BBC after the Iran win. “Obviously I got on very well with him. He has cerebral palsy, like my little sister too. He asked me to throw a party for him and luckily he came to the World Cup .
“For me it’s just having a party, but it will mean the world to him I’m sure. Finlay this one’s for you!” He concluded, before blowing a kiss on the camera.
“Finlay, those for you” 🥹Jack Grealish tells me about his celebration after his goal against Iran. What a moment of well-being today! #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/SKuOLVwRAVNovember 21, 2022
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