Jack Grealish calls Euro 2024 snub ‘most difficult’ career moment

Manchester City forward Jack Grealish has described being omitted from England’s Euro 2024 squad as the “most difficult thing” he has faced in his career.

Grealish, who has 36 England caps, admitted he was “heartbroken” after not making Gareth Southgate’s final 26-man squad, despite a strong performance in a warm-up match against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

England reached the final but fell 2-1 to Spain, with Grealish watching from afar.

Reflecting on his exclusion, the 28-year-old said, “When you are on your holidays, every time you turn on the phone or the TV you just see it [the tournament], so it was hard not to see.”

“I’ll be honest, football-wise it was the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to deal with in terms of my own career.

“I was absolutely heartbroken. For myself now moving forward, I have to just try and use that as motivation going into this season.”

Grealish, who joined Manchester City for a British record £100m from Aston Villa in August 2021, felt he should have been included in the squad, stating, “I feel like I offer something different to players in the England squad.”

He aims to use the disappointment as motivation for the upcoming season.

“But it is what it is.

“As I said, it was the hardest moment for me as a footballer. I’ve had a lot of ups and downs in my career.”

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His position was filled by Manchester City teammate Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka, with Cole Palmer and Eberechi Eze also providing options from the bench.

Notable omissions from the squad included Reece James, who had recently returned from injury, and Ben Chilwell.