Jack Grealish’s 89th-minute goal against Iran had more significance than just capping England’s dominant World Cup win.
After slotting the ball into the back of the net, the Manchester City star celebrated with an ‘arm worm’ gesture.
Grealish’s goal celebration was a nod to a young fan who had contacted the midfielder praising him for drawing attention to cerebral palsy sufferers.
Eleven-year-old Finlay had written a letter to Grealish which he read on a video for an English Premier League fansite.
“To Jack, my name is Finlay and I am 11 years old. I am a huge Man City and England fan,” he wrote.
“I have cerebral palsy and I saw that your sister (Hollie) has cerebral palsy too. Are you a good brother to her?
“I love the way you are really good with your sister, you really get it. You always have her there with you and you look really proud. Especially when you won the league.
“I wish there were more people in the world just like you who treat people with disabilities the same as anyone else.”
After seeing the video, Grealish organised to meet the young fan before heading off to Qatar.
During the meeting, the 27-year-old said the next time he scored he would celebrate how Finlay wanted him to.
Finlay requested he do the worm, but Grealish replied he would probably injure himself, and said he would do the arm ‘worm’ instead.
True to his word, after the ball went in Grealish performed the celebration as England romped to a 6-1 lead before Iran pulled another back in the 103rd minute (yes, you read that correctly).
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