Jack Grealish has revealed that his strong comeback to the England team was fueled by his determination to move past what he described as the ‘worst summer’ of his life. Making his first appearance for the Three Lions since being left out of the Euro 2024 squad, the Manchester City forward scored a goal in England’s 2-0 victory over Republic of Ireland to kick off their Nations League campaign. Grealish shared that being back in the team meant the world to him, emphasizing that he used the setback as motivation to re-establish himself. Reflecting on the match, Grealish expressed to ITV Sport how much it meant to him, especially the support from the fans chanting his name at the end of the game.

Grealish returned to the England squad after being left out of the Euros team and managed to score in his first game back.

The Man City striker acknowledged that he used the setback as a source of inspiration to come back stronger. He emphasized the joy of playing for England, especially in high-stakes games where the entire nation is tuning in. Reflecting on a tough summer, he described it as one of the most challenging periods of his life due to the intense scrutiny he faced. Despite the difficulties, he highlighted how it fueled his determination to overcome obstacles.

Recounting his experience at the Aviva Stadium, Grealish mentioned the boos he received from the crowd, stemming from his past representation of Ireland at the youth level before opting to play for England. Although he faced criticism for his decision, he stood by his choice and ultimately made his debut for England in 2020. Anticipating a hostile reception, he and Declan Rice were prepared for the reaction from the fans.

Grealish anticipated being booed by Republic of Ireland fans and was not surprised by their reception. He mentioned before the match that him and Declan Rice have no ill feelings towards the country, as they both enjoyed their time playing there. Grealish also shared that he has a lot of Irish heritage in his family, so there are no hard feelings on his end.