Jack Grealish has finally addressed those comments he made about Newcastle star, Miguel Almiron.
Grealish went viral when he mocked Almiron at Manchester City's Premier League title parade last summer.
A clip emerged on social media of Bernardo Silva asking Grealish how City were able to complete that dramatic last day comeback against Aston Villa.
"There were two secrets — one, Riyad (Mahrez), take him off the pitch, as soon as possible. He played like Almiron," Grealish responded.
Grealish addresses those Almiron comments
Almiron has proven Grealish wrong with a scintillating start to the 2022/23 season. His eight Premier League goals have helped Newcastle to third in the table.
Six months have passed since those comments and Grealish has now finally spoken out about them.
He said, per the Telegraph: “Do you know what, I haven’t actually been asked about that and let me just address it. Obviously, I’d had a few drinks. We were out celebrating and I wasn’t on my phone on social media. And then I remember I was in Ibiza and it had come out. That was one thing I regret. When I said earlier that sometimes I do stupid stuff, that was one.
"I regret that. I swear, I’m actually buzzing the way he’s reacted. He said something about me in an interview the other day, he wished me the best. I thought ‘what a guy, man’ because if that was me and somebody had said that about me, I’d have probably been the other way and been like ‘f--- it’.
DOHA, QATAR - NOVEMBER 29: Jack Grealish of England applauds fans after the 3-0 victory in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between Wales and England at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on November 29, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
“I messaged Matt Targett because I’m close with him from Villa and I said to him ‘can you message him for me and say to him that I apologise, I obviously didn’t mean it’. When I look back on that, that was just one thing that was stupid of me to say. I shouldn’t have said it.
"I didn’t realise it was a video to go out, I thought it was just private. But even in private I shouldn’t have said it because he’s a fellow professional. I’m actually buzzing for him, I’ve had a lot of stick off the Newcastle fans and rightly so. At the end of the day, they are backing their player which I fully understand. He seems like the most harmless, nice guy, so fair play.
“When I play against him, I’ll show him the most respect because that’s what he’s done in a situation where he probably didn’t have to. Fair play to him and I genuinely hope he does keep scoring, as long as those Newcastle fans stop messaging me.”
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 12: Miguel Almiron of Newcastle United celebrates after victory in the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Chelsea FC at St. James Park on November 12, 2022 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
What did Almiron say about Grealish?
Almiron has never held a grudge against Grealish and was full of praise for the Man City man when speaking about him last month.
He told the Chronicle: "Would I shake his hand the next time we line up to play Man City? Yes. Yes, I would. Of course, I'd shake hands with him, whenever we play against Man City without a shadow of a doubt.
"Like I have said and as I keep on insisting to people Jack Grealish is a great player and I just wish him all the best. Throughout my career and for as long as I have played football, as long as I remember I have never really paid attention to what people say to me off the field. You just get on with your own job and that's it."
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