Erling Haaland's emotional message speaks volumes after Jack Grealish decision
Jack Grealish has been brutally axed from Manchester City's squad for the upcoming Club World Cup and star striker Erling Haaland had an amusing take on the England man's absence
Erling Haaland had a typically amusing response to Jack Grealish 's brutal Manchester City snub. The England winger has been axed from the squad by Pep Guardiola for the upcoming Club World Cup in the USA.
While Grealish has yet to respond directly to his snub, City's star forward Haaland has had his say. Taking to Snapchat, the Norwegian shared a picture of a vacant seat next to him on the club's flight to the US.
And he wrote a particularly telling caption. "Jack Grealish where are you," Haaland asked alongside a crying cat face emoji.
Haaland and Grealish appear to have struck up a close friendship during the striker's two-year spell at the Etihad Stadium. During their title celebrations in 2022, the former gatecrashed the winger's interview with Sky Sports to tell him: ''I f***ing love you, you know that!'
Meanwhile, Grealish has hit back at fan criticism over his performances across what has been a tricky campaign. Responding to comments from former Aston Villa star Gabby Agbonlahor on Instagram, he said: 'What u want me to do, score a hatty in 20?'
He then replied to a fan saying: "Haha I've been bad lately? Scored three goals in my last three appearances over 45 mins but okie dokie love x."
Grealish, signed for £100m in 2021, scored just three goals for City last season, only one of which came in the Premier League. He started just seven league games, while playing a combined 144 league minutes in 2025.
Speaking at the end of the season, City boss Pep Guardiola insisted he did not have a personal issue with the 29-year-old. He said: "Of course, Jack has to play. That's the truth. Jack is an unbelievable player that has to play football every three days. And it didn't happen this season, and last season neither. And he needs to do it with us, or another place.
"But that is a question for Jack, his agent, and the club. If he stays, we'll be fine, and he'll fight like he fought since day one to make a contribution."
He added: "Who said I'm not happy with him? I said in my words I'm not happy with him? The last games he didn't play. He was on the bench, and Rico [Lewis] - for me, one of the favourite players I have - he was not selected either.
"It's not anything personal about Jack, absolutely anything. I'm the person who fought [for him] to come here, and fought [for him] to stay here this season and the previous season. The one that said I want Jack with me.
"What happens in the future? Listen, it's a job for Hugo [Viana], for Txiki [Bergiristain]. It's not for me."
Grealish has already been linked with a move away from City this summer with Everton reportedly interested in a loan.
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