Jack Grealish, the 28-year-old Manchester City midfielder, recently fulfilled a long-held dream by meeting pop icon Rihanna. Despite not making the England squad for the Euros this summer, Grealish’s star power remained undiminished as he posed for a photo with the global superstar after a friendly match in New York.
Grealish, who had previously confessed his admiration for Rihanna, met the singer after Manchester City’s game against AC Milan at Yankee Stadium. The 36-year-old singer attended the match, supporting Grealish and later mingling with AC Milan players Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah, both of whom play for the United States National Men’s Team.
Rihanna sported a chic look, wearing a black and white Loewe jersey-style t-shirt paired with Houndstooth drawstring bottoms and accessorized with gold jewelry. Grealish, still in his Manchester City training top, beamed in the photo with his longtime idol.
see also: 20 Fun Facts About Rihanna That You Didn’t Know
The encounter was a significant moment for Grealish, who had once expressed his desire to meet Rihanna during his Aston Villa days, citing her beauty as the reason. Fans quickly reminded him of this old comment when he shared the photo on Instagram. “All I think of is the interview where he says he wants to meet Rihanna because she’s pretty, and now look,” one fan commented. Another added, “I just know you were blushing when Rih came through the door.”
Grealish and his girlfriend, Sasha Attwood, are also celebrating another milestone as they expect their first child. The couple, who have been together since their teenage years in Solihull, recently announced the pregnancy. Sasha shared the news on social media, writing, “Half of me, half of you – beyond blessed,” while Grealish added, “Life’s biggest blessing.”
However, the couple’s joy has been overshadowed by a traumatic event. A £1 million raid on their home left Grealish “absolutely distraught.” The burglary occurred on December 27 while Grealish was playing against Everton. Sasha and ten family members were at the property and raised the alarm.
In a heartfelt social media post, Grealish expressed his devastation: “I can’t begin to explain how devastated I am over the burglary that took place at my home a few days ago. My family means the world to me, and nothing is more important than ensuring their safety. This has been a traumatic experience for all of us, and I am just so grateful that nobody was hurt.”
Reflecting on the incident, Grealish noted how it marred an otherwise remarkable year: “I have had so many amazing experiences and achievements over the last 12 months, but to be honest, the best year of my life in football now doesn’t feel like something I can celebrate. The people that commit these terrible crimes have no idea of the damage they cause to people’s lives. I hope they are found and brought to justice so no other family has to go through what we have.”
For more breaking news and the latest headlines, join the Irish Mirror’s WhatsApp community. Receive updates, special offers, and promotions directly to your phone. Read our Privacy Notice for more information.