Manchester City star Jack Grealish has revealed he regrets the "stupid" comment he made about Newcastle United star Miguel Almiron amid the Paraguay international's sensational form in the Premier League this season.
In a video that surfaced online following City's 2021/22 EPL title win, Grealish was asked by teammate Bernardo Silva what the secret to their eventful comeback on the last day of the season against Aston Villa was.
He responded by saying: "There were two secrets – one, Riyad [Mahrez], take him off the pitch, as soon as possible. He played like Almiron."
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This season, though, that remark has been cast under the spotlight given Almiron's incredible run of form for the Magpies, which has seen him contribute eight goal involvements in his past eight Premier League matches.
As a result, Grealish has received a lot of backlash for his comment, with some questioning his output as he has scored just one goal for the Citizens across all competitions so far in this campaign.
Asked about the Almiron matter recently, the England international revealed it is a moment he regrets.
"Do you know what? I haven't actually been asked about that and let me just address it," he said, according to The Telegraph.
"Obviously, I'd had a few drinks. We were out celebrating and I wasn't on my phone on social media. And then I remember I was in Ibiza and it had 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 an 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 [Newcastle United left-back] 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. I shouldn't have said it.
"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.
"When I play against him, I'll show him the most respect because that's what he's done in a situation where he probably didn't have to.
"Fair play to him, and I genuinely hope he does keep scoring, as long as those Newcastle fans stop messaging me."
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Grealish is currently at the 2022 FIFA World Cup with the England national team, and has scored once in three substitute appearances at the tournament so far.
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