Sky Sports
Jack Grealish says leaving Aston Villa to join Manchester City brought him to tears and made him feel “exactly” the same way as Lionel Messi did about departing Barcelona.
The 25-year-old midfielder joined City last week for £100m in the biggest deal in English football history, leaving the club where he had spent his entire career.
Grealish’s move was followed by confirmation that Messi, who has spent his whole career at Barcelona, would be leaving the La Liga side as they were unable to fulfil a new contract that had been agreed with the player due to “financial and structural obstacles”.
“It was so tough. I think everyone knows that,” said Grealish, who could make his City Premier League debut when they face Tottenham in Sunday’s season opener, live on Sky Sports.
“I reported back for the pre-season as I was meant to. That’s when the manager wanted me back so I obviously went back for a few days. It was obviously difficult because in the back of my head, I knew that I might be going.
“Everyone’s seen the way Messi was at his final press conference and that is the exact way I felt myself.
“Before I left, at the hotel, I spoke to the team, the staff and the players and I teared up a little bit my…
