Jack Grealish has revealed a touching message he received from his mother after Manchester City’s 1-1 draw with Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie.

The England international played the full 90 minutes at the Bernabeu as City earned a valuable draw against the Spanish giants. Kevin De Bruyne put the visitors ahead in the first half, but Vinicius Junior equalized for Real Madrid after the break.

Speaking to BT Sport after the game, Grealish said: “I got a text from my mom and she said these are the nights I dreamed of as a kid. Everyone in the world was watching, I pinched myself to see if this is life!”

Grealish went on to express his delight at playing in such a high-profile match, saying: “We said before the game that these are the nights you play football, these are the nights you dream of. It’s like a dream come true.”

The former Aston Villa captain also praised his City teammates, saying that the team’s balance between experience and youth is key to their success this season. “This year we have a new team, different players.

One thing we have is the perfect balance between experience and a few young players. We just have quality. I never felt so confident. I feel more confident when I’m on the pitch with these players around.”

Despite the draw, Grealish admitted that it was a difficult match for City, especially in the second half when Real Madrid put them under pressure. “Yes, it was obviously very difficult. They gave us the lead a couple of times and then they put a lot of pressure on.”

The 25-year-old has been a key player for City this season, making 27 appearances in all competitions and contributing six goals and ten assists. His performances have helped City to the top of the Premier League table and into the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Grealish’s comments about his mother’s message and the importance of playing in big matches are a reminder that football is not just about winning and losing, but also about fulfilling childhood dreams and making memories that will last a lifetime.

As City prepare for the second leg of their semi-final against Real Madrid, Grealish will be hoping to play another important role in helping his team reach the final of Europe’s premier club competition.