Jack Grealish FaceTimed his fan, Finlay Fisher, after dedicating his World Cup goal celebration to the 11-year-old.
After scoring the sixth goal against Iran in the World Cup match on Monday, Grealish did a dance especially for his young fan.
Grealish, 27, first met Finlay after the football fan wrote to the Manchester City player to share his experience of living with cerebral palsy, like Grealish’s younger sister.
In the letter, Finlay told Grealish: “It makes me really happy when I see you, a famous footballer, know what it’s like to live with people with cerebral palsy.”
Grealish replied to Finlay and sent him a signed football shirt, before surprising the young footballer after a tournament.
What a celebration from Jack Grealish 🥰
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) November 21, 2022
11-year-old Finlay asked him to do this celebration if he scored at the World Cup... he delivered!
💻🖥📱 Reaction on @BBCiPlayer, @BBCSounds and the @BBCSport app#BBCFootball #BBCWorldCup pic.twitter.com/seuaf8gzlt
He told Finlay he’d dedicate his celebration to him, if he were to score a goal, and asked what he’d like to see him do.
After initially suggesting doing the worm, which Grealish said he couldn’t out of fear of getting injured, Finlay asked him to shake his shoulders and arms in celebration, in a signature move he’s since named “The Finlay”.
And when Grealish scored in the last few minutes of the game, he did just that, keeping his promise to his young fan.
Following the match, Grealish FaceTimed Finlay from Qatar to catch up.
He told him: “I was buzzing to get a goal and then I could do my little celebration just for you, you were always in the back of my mind, mate.”
Jack Grealish is a man of his word 🥹❤️
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) November 21, 2022
11-year-old Finlay asked for the celebration, Grealish delivered 👏#BBCWorldCup #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/9sxQyM0MFZ
Finlay has been interviewed by a number of outlets since the match, including the BBC and Sky News.
Speaking to Sky News, Finlay shared that, of all the Man City players, he wanted to meet Grealish because he can relate, knowing what it’s like to live with cerebral palsy, as his sister has the condition.