Jack Grealish scored for Manchester City in their 2-0 win over Leicester City, ending a 16-month Premier League goal drought, before giving an emotional interview with Sky Sports.
The 29-year-old netted inside two minutes at the Etihad Stadium to give Pep Guardiola's side the perfect start, with Omar Marmoush also on target.
After the match, Grealish revealed in an emotional interview that he had scored on the 25th anniversary of his little brother's death.
The England international fought back tears as he explained the significance of the date to his family.
Jack Grealish cut an emotional figure as he paid tribute to his late brother, Keelan, who sadly died in 2000
SKY
"My little brother passed away 25 years ago today," Grealish said.
After scoring, he had pointed his fingers upwards and lifted his eyes to the sky in celebration.
"This day is hard on the family but I was happy to score. My mum and dad were here," he added.
"This day is always difficult in the family, so to score and to win was brilliant."
The goal helped lift City to fourth in the Premier League table as they continue to push for Champions League qualification.
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Jack Grealish dedicates his goal to his late brother on the 25th anniversary of his death ❤️ pic.twitter.com/u3toaqZSuR
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 2, 2025
Grealish's younger brother, Keelan, died from cot death aged nine months old in 2000.
Keelan was born on 25th June 1999 and passed away on 2nd April 2000.
Grealish's strike came almost 16 months after his last Premier League strike, which was on December 16, 2023.
The Manchester City star and his family have a gravestone in tribute to Keelan featuring a statue of a baby angel.
The memorial includes a touching inscription about their "happy special little boy now playing up above."
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This isn't the first time Grealish has honoured his brother through football.
He dedicated his first senior goal to Keelan while on loan at Notts County in 2013-14, with another dedicated goal for Aston Villa coming in November 2018.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola spoke warmly about Grealish after the match.
"Jack is an incredible human being; in terms of gestures and for the other people, he's incredibly generous," said Guardiola.
The City boss admitted he hadn't known about the significance of the date.
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"I can't imagine how tough it could be for mum, dad, sister, and all the family," he added.
"It's good on this day to remember him, I'm pretty sure they remember every single day."
Grealish's parents, Kevin and Karen, were in the stands to witness their son's emotional moment.
Kevin has previously spoken about the trauma of losing Keelan, admitting Grealish always keeps his brother in his heart.
"He was only nine months old, he was a little angel and I was devastated. We all were," he said.
Jack Grealish scored his first Premier League goal since December 2023 as Man City beat Leicester on Wednesday night
PA
"Jack was only a kid himself back then, but he still remembers Keelan and he still thinks about him with everything he achieves.
"We still miss Keelan but we are so grateful and lucky that we are blessed with Jack, his brother Kevan and his little sisters Holly and Kiera."
City are next in action against Manchester United on Sunday.
The Red Devils will go into the game on a low note following a 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest earlier in the week, with former star Anthony Elanga netting the only goal of the game.
