Jack Grealish admits he regrets his now infamous social media jibe at Miguel Almiron's expense. However, the England international insists he is 'buzzing' with the Newcastle United star's response following a sensational start to the season.
Grealish used an unflattering comparison with Almiron to describe team-mate Riyad Mahrez's performance on the final day of last season during Manchester City's title celebrations in May. The former Aston Villa captain argued Mahrez deserved to be substituted for 'playing like Almiron '.
The Paraguay international had struggled to make an impact under Eddie Howe, and had failed to deliver consistently in the final third during his time on Tyneside. However, the 28-year-old has been a player reborn this term, and was named the Premier League's Player of the Month for October.
READ MORE: Miguel Almiron breaks silence on Jack Grealish and reveals his real motivation with Newcastle United
Almiron previously scored an equaliser against City, and followed this with a goal of the season contender away at Fulham. The winger has already delivered his best goalscoring return in a season for the Magpies, with eight Premier League strikes so far.
Grealish has revealed he messaged former team-mate Matt Targett to apologise to Almiron for the remark. The City star accepts the 'stick' he has received from Newcastle fans since, while admitting he should not have targeted a 'fellow professional'.
Grealish told the Independent: “Do you know what, I haven’t actually been asked about that and let me just address it. It was the day after the season finished and obviously I’d had a few drinks and stuff.
"Straight after that, because I didn’t realise, we were out celebrating and I wasn’t on my phone on social media. I remember I was in Ibiza and it had obviously 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 the 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’.
“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 it.
"I shouldn’t have said it. I didn’t realise it was going to go out. 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, I’m buzzing for him.”
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