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Manchester City signing Jack Grealish says he can sympathise with Lionel Messi after his exit from Barcelona.
Messi bid a teary farewell to Barca this week after La Liga blocked him from signing a new contract.
Grealish left boyhood club Aston Villa for City in an £100m deal last week and can understand why Messi was so emotional.
“It was so tough. I think everyone knows I reported back for pre-season as I was meant to, I went back for a few days,” Grealish said at his introductory press conference at Manchester City.
“It was difficult. In the back of my head I knew I might be going. I did a bit on my own… everyone saw how Messi was yesterday – that’s exactly the way I felt. Before I left at the hotel I spoke to the team and the staff and the players and I teared up a little bit myself.
“I felt like it was time for me to move on. I’ve always said how much I want to play Champions League football. They have a football club here that has got so much potential. They’re the most successful English side in the last 10 years. It felt the right time.
“I’ve been a Villa fan since I was four, my whole family has, I went to the club when I was six. There will always be links there, especially with the big family I have, everyone is Villa fans.
“At the end of the day I’m a City player now and will concentrate on being so successful here. I’ve come here to win silverware.”