Jack Grealish has opened up on his special celebration for Finlay in the wake of England's thumping 6-2 win over Iran - with the youngster dubbing it as "the best thing ever!".
Grealish netted England's final goal to cap a fine performance in the Three Lions' World Cup opener. Bukayo Saka bagged a brace for Gareth Southgate's side and Jude Bellingham, Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford also managed to open their accounts for the tournament.
After scoring his goal, Grealish performed a unique celebration following a meeting with Finlay, a Manchester City fan, earlier this month. The 11-year-old, who has cerebral palsy, wrote to Grealish speaking about the star's younger sister, Hollie, who also has the condition.
After working on a special goal celebration, Grealish promised Finlay that he would perform the dance move the next time he scored - and the big-hearted winger kept his word during the final minutes of Monday's one-sided clash.
Explaining his celebration after the match, Grealish said: "I met young Finlay before about a month or ago. Got on, obviously, and really well with him. Him obviously, having cerebral palsy like my little sister as well so he asked me to do a celebration for him and luckily for him it came at the World Cup.
"That's what it's all about. For me it's just doing a celebration, that will mean the world to him I'm sure. Especially me doing it at the World Cup, so Finlay, that one's for you."
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Finlay has since responded to Grealish after watching the Manchester City winger stick to his word. The youngster exclaimed: "Oh my god that's the best thing ever! He's my best mate. I love you Grealish!"
Grealish has spoken in the past about his "close" relationship with his younger sister. In his initial letter to Grealish before the meeting, Finlay wrote: "I wish there were more people in the world just like you who treat people with disabilities the same as anyone else."
The winger was lauded by Southgate as a "lovely human being" after the reasoning behind his celebration came to light.
"He had a situation with his own sister that would mean he's very aware of the power he can have," the Three Lions chief said after Monday's match.
"He's a kind person, we're very fortunate, we work with a group of players who have a hunger to play. They're a pleasure to work with, they have a humility but they also think of others.
"It's unusual to have a group we've got, they were excellent all week and no surprise we won today. It's nice to hear that was the celebration and the reason for it."
