The 1-0 victory over Inter Milan on Saturday was the realization of a goal and dream. Many people throughout the years played a part in making the fantasy become true. I had the opportunity of playing for Manchester City when the club underwent a radical shift in 2008 with the Abu Dhabi takeover.
I couldn't stop thinking about Jack Grealish during those brief moments, though, when you know the game is done and the third leg of the treble is complete. He's gone through a lot in trying to establish himself over the previous two years, and I could understand his emotions.
He was crying when I finally had a chance to visit him a little while later. Jack knows that some
Jack doesn't keep his head down when someone criticizes him. He will respond to criticism when he is performing poorly and will react similarly when praise is given to him, but he was undoubtedly off his game for a while.
He loved being the center of attention at Villa, but in the City locker room, he appeared to be overwhelmed. He kept seeing Kevin De Bruyne to his right and Bernardo Silva or Ilkay Gundogan to his left, which made him wonder how valuable he was to the team.
Jack is completely enamored with football, just like Guardiola, and he has a manager in Pep who has always believed he has all the skills to succeed.
There were four goals and 11 assists on this side of the World Cup, but every aspect of the game improved: dribbles, opportunities created, and touches in the opponent's box.
The lightbulb went on. Jack wouldn't qualify as a failure if he quit football tomorrow. His four medals—two Premier League titles, a starting spot in the triumphant FA Cup and Champions League finals, and two Premier League championships—are more than most professionals win in their whole careers.
But I don't believe his list of accomplishments is over just yet. I have a gut feeling that there will be another significant European event, perhaps at Wembley the following year, because the days of anticipating a City mishap are long gone.
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