Manchester City’s charismatic winger Jack Grealish found himself at the center of a lighthearted prank that’s taken social media by storm, as a viral video captured him unwittingly signing a hotel bill while lounging poolside in Mykonos, Greece. The 29-year-old England international, currently on holiday after being left out of Pep Guardiola’s squad for the FIFA Club World Cup, was approached by Swedish content creator Patric Persson, who cleverly disguised the bill as an autograph request. The cheeky stunt, which unfolded at a luxurious resort on June 15, 2025, has sparked laughter and admiration for Grealish’s good-natured demeanor, even as questions swirl about his future at the Etihad Stadium.
The incident occurred as Grealish soaked up the Mediterranean sun, a respite from a challenging 2024/25 season that saw him start just seven Premier League matches and miss England’s Euro 2024 squad. In the video, Persson, a TikTok and Instagram personality, is handed a bill by a waiter at a plush poolside bar. Seizing the moment, he approaches Grealish, who’s relaxing by the pool, and asks for an autograph. Unaware that he’s signing a tab, Grealish obliges with a smile, only for Persson to swiftly return the signed bill to the waiter, pulling off the prank. Persson shared the clip online, captioning it, “such a generous guy @JackGrealish,” before posting additional photos of the pair together, revealing the stunt was staged and their camaraderie genuine. He even dubbed Grealish “Dundergubbe,” a Swedish term translating to “thunder guy,” highlighting the footballer’s larger-than-life personality.
Fans have rallied behind Grealish’s generosity, noting that the £300,000-a-week star might have happily covered the bill regardless, given his history of kind gestures. Earlier in 2025, he stunned patrons at North Biddick Social Club in Washington, Tyne and Wear, by contributing £500 toward a drinks tab for everyone at the bar while visiting a friend. “Jack arrived around 10.45pm on Sunday and was the life and soul of the party,” a reveller recalled from a separate April 2025 outing at London’s Bagatelle club, where Grealish racked up a £5,000 bill and mimicked Leonardo DiCaprio’s iconic *Wolf of Wall Street* pose. These moments paint a picture of a player who embraces his off-field persona, even as his on-field role at City diminishes.
Grealish’s exclusion from Manchester City’s 27-man Club World Cup squad, announced on June 12, 2025, has intensified speculation about his future. With the tournament kicking off against Wydad AC in Philadelphia on June 18, City’s inclusion of new signings like Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, and Rayan Ait-Nouri signals a squad overhaul. Pep Guardiola, who once praised Grealish’s talent, acknowledged in May 2025, “Of course, Jack has to play. He’s an unbelievable player that has to play football every three days. It didn’t happen this season and last season either. He needs to do it—with us or another place.” The snub follows a season where Grealish was an unused substitute in City’s FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace and omitted from their final Premier League match against Fulham. Interest from clubs like Everton, Newcastle, and Napoli, with the latter eyeing a reunion after his 2024/25 loan at AC Milan, suggests a summer transfer could be imminent.
Despite the professional setback, Grealish’s spirits remain high. He shared a post-workout selfie on Instagram, captioned, “Late night runs on holiday,” showcasing his commitment to fitness amid transfer rumors. His teammate Erling Haaland, who posted a sunburned snap from Miami with the caption “Norwegian in Miami = sunburned,” remains a close ally, but Grealish’s absence from the Club World Cup underscores his uncertain role under Guardiola. England manager Thomas Tuchel has also urged him to secure regular playing time to reclaim his national team spot ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
The Mykonos prank, while a playful moment, highlights Grealish’s enduring appeal as a fan favorite. As he navigates a pivotal summer, with City’s Club World Cup campaign and transfer talks looming, the “thunder guy” continues to shine off the pitch, leaving fans eager to see where his next chapter unfolds.
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