10 fun facts about Jack Grealish

Jack Grealish is a well-known English figure in the world of professional football. He is renowned for his exceptional abilities, creativity on the field, and distinctive playing style. Grealish has established himself as an attacking midfielder or winger.

His football journey began at a young age when he joined Aston Villa’s academy at six years old. Displaying immense talent and potential, he progressed through the ranks and made his debut for Aston Villa’s senior team at 18 years old in 2014.

Grealish quickly became a fan favorite, impressing with his technical skills, agility, and ball control. One of the highlights of Grealish’s career occurred during the 2019/2020 season when he played a crucial role in Aston Villa’s promotion to the Premier League, contributing ten goals and eight assists.

Despite attracting interest from top clubs, Grealish has remained loyal to Aston Villa, maintaining a strong connection with the team and its supporters. However, in August 2021, he made a high-profile transfer to Manchester City for a reported fee of approximately £100 million, making him the most expensive British player at the time.

Grealish’s international journey is equally impressive. Although he initially represented the Republic of Ireland at the youth level, he decided to switch his allegiance to England in 2015. This decision proved to be successful as he made his senior debut for the England national team in 2020.

Representing his country on the international stage has allowed Grealish to demonstrate his skills to a worldwide audience, further solidifying his reputation as a talented and influential player. Some fun facts about him are;

1. GAELIC ROOTS

Grealish has Irish heritage, with his maternal grandfather hailing from County Dublin, his paternal grandfather from Gort, County Galway, and his paternal grandmother from Sneem, County Kerry.

With Irish grandparents and the eligibility to represent the Republic of Ireland, Grealish participated in Gaelic Football during his younger years. In 2012, he showcased his skills by scoring a point for Warwickshire GAA at Croke Park, the renowned home of the GAA, during an exhibition match held at half-time during an All-Ireland quarter-final.

2. Comes from a footballing family

Grealish has a rich footballing lineage within his family. Notably, his great-great-grandfather, Billy Garraty, achieved a remarkable feat by earning one cap for England and triumphing in the 1905 FA Cup with Villa. Among his siblings, Grealish holds the position of the eldest. The birth order of his siblings, from oldest to youngest, is Jack, Kevan, Keelan, Kiera, and Hollie.

Tragically, Keelan passed away due to sudden infant death syndrome in 2000, when he was just nine months old. Additionally, Grealish’s sister Hollie was born with cerebral palsy. Demonstrating his unwavering support, Grealish takes care of his siblings, particularly his sister Hollie.

3. Inspiration behind a song

The London-based rappers, The Manor, found their muse in Grealish, leading them to create a song dedicated to him called ‘Grealish’ prior to EURO 2020. Being Arsenal fans themselves, two members of the group were so captivated by Grealish’s outstanding performance against their team in the 2020-21 season that they felt compelled to pay homage to the talented England international. The song’s lyrics pay tribute to Grealish as the unrivaled king, the man of the match who deserves a celebration in the evening. It is rumored that Grealish himself is a fervent admirer of the track.

4. A lot of PL appearances

Grealish has already showcased his skills in the Premier League, with an impressive record of 96 appearances, 15 goals, and 16 assists.

5. Known for shinpads

Grealish has made socks round the ankles and small shinpads his trademark ever since he made a name for himself in the Premier League. Numerous stories have circulated about the reason behind his unique style, but the midfielder clarified the matter in his initial interview with the Club .

He said, “When I was 15, I was playing for the Under-18s and that year we were sponsored by Macron and the socks kept shrinking. I wasn’t a first team player so you couldn’t ask for new socks every day so I kept wearing them.”

“They wouldn’t come over my calves within about two months into the season and that season I probably had my season where I took off and started kicking off. I started wearing them in games and thought I am going to keep this.”

6. Most expensive English player

Grealish’s exceptional displays at Villa created a significant buzz and captured the interest of numerous elite clubs. Eventually, in 2021, Grealish sealed a transfer to Manchester City for a staggering £100 million, establishing himself as the priciest English player in history.

7. Aston Villa player of the season

During his time with Aston Villa, in recognition of his exceptional performances throughout the 2019-20 season, Grealish emerged as the top scorer for his club in the Premier League with eight goals, and an impressive total of 10 goals across all competitions.

As a result, he was honored with the prestigious title of Aston Villa’s player of the season for the 2019-20 campaign. Furthermore, Grealish’s remarkable talent was acknowledged earlier in the 2014-15 season when he made his breakthrough into the first team, earning him the well-deserved accolade of young player of the season.

8. De Bruyne is his favourite player

Grealish, who recently joined City, had the opportunity to team up with a player he greatly idolizes. In an interview conducted in March 2021, the English international expressed his immense admiration for Kevin De Bruyne, stating that he is his favorite player. Grealish went on to describe De Bruyne as the epitome of a flawless footballer in the Premier League.

9. Early career

Grealish began playing football at an early age. He joined Aston Villa (the club he supported) at the age of six.

10. Loves Leonardo Di Caprio

Grealish has revealed he would like Leonardo Di Caprio to play him if a movie was made of his (Grealish) life.