Jack Grealish was “heartbroken” to be left out of England’s squad for Euro 2024 and will use the pain of that as motivation this season.
The Manchester City midfielder was named in England’s wider squad for this summer’s tournament in Germany, but was one of seven players cut by manager Gareth Southgate.
Grealish has revealed the axe was the toughest moment of his career so far, but he is determined to use it as fuel.
Not being involved at the Euros has allowed the 28-year-old to enjoy a summer break and the chance to take part in a full pre-season, with City currently touring the US.
“It was probably one of the longest summer breaks I’ve had in the last three or four years,” Grealish said. “To get over five weeks holiday was very nice.
“I will be honest, I would say football wise [being left out of England’s Euro 2024 squad] was the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to deal with in my career.
“I was absolutely heartbroken and then when you’re on your holidays, every time you turn your phone on or TV you see it.
“I have had a lot of ups and downs in my career. It was difficult, but I will use this as motivation going into this new season and hopefully I can prove a few people wrong.
“I have to use that now as motivation going into this season and try and have the same mentality I had two years ago in my first season at City.
“I didn’t perform as well as I could have, but in the second I played in a lot of the games and that was down to the first season I had, I wanted to come back stronger. I want to do that again.
“So I am happy now to be back and to get a full pre-season under my belt.
“As you can see there aren’t too many of the first team guys here so I want to be here and get as fit as possible ahead of the new season.”
