Guardiola hails ‘incredible human being’ Grealish after scoring first Premier League goal in over a year | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola hailed the impact of “incredible human being” Jack Grealish, who scored his first Premier League goal in 15 months in the win over Leicester.

Grealish opened the scoring for City before Omar Marmoush added a second to secure a comfortable victory for Guardiola’s side.

It was the first time Grealish had scored in the Premier League since December 2023, and the 29-year-old took the opportunity to pay tribute to his brother, who died at nine-months-old when Grealish was just four.

“Jack is an incredible human being; in terms of gestures and for the other people. He’s incredibly generous,” Guardiola said.

“I didn’t know that. I can’t imagine how tough it will be for mum, dad, sister, and all the family. It’s good on this day to remember him, I’m pretty sure they remember every single day.

“He scored a goal, made a good game so it’s good.”

Grealish has struggled to nail down a starting place this season through a combination of injury and competition for places.

He has found game time very difficult to come by of late, playing just one minute of the last six league games heading into the clash with Leicester.

But after getting back on the scoresheet in the league for the first time since 2023, Guardiola says he is delighted for the former Aston Villa man, who played in a more central position in the victory.

“He likes to play in the middle,” Guardiola explained. “I know he’s a guy that used to play free and now we have some patterns and he’s most comfortable playing on the side.

“I have the feeling that between the lines, always he has the ability to control the ball, to have an extra pass.

“He was not awarded the penalty at the beginning of the second half but I’m happy for him. I know it’s not easy when you (want to) play quite regularly.”

Grealish also spoke of his delight and ending his long spell without a league goal: “As soon as I scored I knew this would be what people say but listen, this season I’ve not been at my best, even last season. But I feel even when I’ve played, especially in 2025, I’ve only started three or four games, I’ve not started in the Premier League since before Christmas. But I was happy I started tonight and happy to score.”