As Manchester City jetted off to the United States for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, a poignant moment unfolded on social media that captured the hearts of football fans worldwide. Erling Haaland, the team’s prolific striker, shared an emotional message directed at his close friend and teammate Jack Grealish, who was notably absent from the squad. The Norwegian’s Snapchat post, featuring an empty seat next to him on the team’s flight to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was captioned with a simple yet powerful plea: “Jack Grealish where are you?” accompanied by a tearful emoji. This heartfelt gesture underscored the deep bond between the two players, forged during their time together at the Etihad Stadium, and highlighted the uncertainty surrounding Grealish’s future with the club.
Manchester City’s 27-man squad, led by manager Pep Guardiola, departed Manchester Airport on Thursday, June 12, 2025, to compete in the revamped 32-team tournament. The team, fresh off their 2023 Champions League triumph, is set to face Morocco’s Wydad AC on June 18, followed by matches against Al Ain and Juventus in Group G. New signings Rayan Cherki, Rayan Aït-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders, and Marcus Bettinelli were among those making the transatlantic journey, signaling a focus on the future. However, several high-profile players, including Kyle Walker, James McAtee (currently at the Under-21 European Championship), and the injured duo of Kalvin Phillips and Mateo Kovačić, were left behind. Grealish’s omission, however, stood out as the most significant, fueling speculation about his impending departure from the club after four seasons.
Grealish, the 29-year-old England international, has endured a challenging 2024–25 campaign, managing just one goal and one assist in 20 Premier League appearances. Across all competitions, he scored three goals, a stark contrast to his £100 million transfer fee from Aston Villa in 2021. Despite featuring in every FA Cup match en route to the final, he was benched for the decisive clash against Crystal Palace at Wembley. Frustrated by criticism of his performances, Grealish recently took to social media to defend himself, responding to a fan with, “Haha I’ve been bad lately? Scored three goals in my last three appearances over 45 mins but okie dokie love x,” and adding, “What u want me to do, score a hatty in 20?” His exclusion from the Club World Cup squad, coupled with Guardiola’s apparent shift in strategy, suggests that Grealish’s time at City may be drawing to a close. Clubs such as Everton, Newcastle, West Ham, Napoli, and even his former side Aston Villa have been linked with a potential move, with a reported £40 million fee on the table.
Haaland and Grealish’s friendship has been a highlight of their tenure at Manchester City, blossoming since Haaland’s arrival from Borussia Dortmund in 2022. The pair, known for their off-field camaraderie, were inseparable travel companions on team trips, often sharing lighthearted moments that endeared them to fans. During City’s 2022 Premier League title celebrations, Haaland famously interrupted Grealish’s Sky Sports interview, shouting, “I f***ing love you, you know that!” In October 2023, Haaland reflected on their bond, saying, “We are different, but some things are the same too. We love to have fun; we love to have a joke and have a laugh a bit. We just want to smile, enjoy, relax and play good football together. He’s also a kind person.” Grealish reciprocated the sentiment, noting, “We have a great friendship but he’ll point at me after a game and say: ‘Don’t go out tonight partying’. I just tell him to shut up and sit in his ice bath.”
The emotional weight of Haaland’s message was amplified by their shared history, including living on the same floor of a Manchester apartment block. While Haaland, who scored 31 goals in 44 appearances this season despite injury setbacks, prepares to lead City’s charge for Club World Cup glory, Grealish’s absence leaves a void both on and off the pitch. As the winger holidays by the sea, contemplating his next move, England manager Thomas Tuchel has urged him to secure regular playing time to revive his international career. For Haaland, the empty seat on the flight symbolizes more than just a missing teammate—it’s a reminder of a friendship that may soon be tested by distance. As City embarks on their quest for global silverware, the football world watches to see where Grealish’s journey leads next.
Leave a Reply