Emotional Jack Grealish breaks down in tears after Man City claim Champions League and treble

An emotional Jack Grealish spoke of his pride and delight at winning the Champions League final on Saturday, while he also thanked his family.

The Manchester City winger played the full 90 minutes in Istanbul as the Blues won the biggest prize in Europe. It was a nervy and awkward match against Inter Milan on Saturday and it took until the second half for City to grab a breakthrough goal via Rodri.

The win also means City have claimed a historic treble and they have become just the second side in the history of European football to win the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League in the same campaign. The enormity of that achievement overwhelmed Grealish after the full-time whistle, who broke down in tears when speaking to BT Sport.

“I don’t know. This is what you work your whole life for. I’m so happy,” the 27-year-old said. “I was awful today but I don’t care. To win the treble with this group of players is so special.

“Everyone who knows me knows that I’m such a family person and ho

w much I love football and this is what I’ve worked for my whole life. You think back to all the people who have helped you along the way and to see my family in the crowd makes me emotional.”

Asked about Pep Guardiola, Grealish thanked the City manager for sticking with him after a difficult first year in Manchester. “He’s a genius, isn’t he? I just said there ‘I want to thank you because you’ve made this happen for me’,” said the England international.

“He showed a lot of faith in me to buy and even last year when I was playing crap, he stayed there with me and spoke to me. This year he has given me this platform to perform. I just want to say thank you.”