Riyad Mahrez (Part 2)

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25 Mar 2024

Riyad Mahrez (Part 2)

Riyad Mahrez completed his move to Manchester City, signing a five-year contract with the club. The transfer fee of 60 million made him the most expensive African footballer in history, as well as Manchester City most expensive signing and a record transfer fee received by Leicester City. Mahrez expressed his ambition to win the UEFA Champions League with his new club.
Mahrez made his debut for Manchester City as a starter on 5 August 2018 in the FA Community Shield match against Chelsea, which City won 2–0 at Wembley Stadium. He made an immediate impact on 22 September 2018, coming off the bench in the 61st minute to score a brace against Cardiff City, with the first goal marking his first for Manchester City.

A poignant moment came on 29 October 2018, when Mahrez dedicated his goal against Tottenham Hotspur to Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, the former owner of Leicester City who tragically died in a helicopter crash.Mahrez continued to contribute to Manchester City success, winning the EFL Cup against Chelsea on 24 February 2019 and being awarded the title of the best player of the tournament, despite not featuring in the final.
Despite facing limited playing time in his debut season, with just 14 league starts, Mahrez played a significant role in Manchester City achievements. He secured his second Premier League title, becoming only the second African player to win the league with two different clubs, following Kolo Toure. Mahrez remained committed to the club despite the challenges, citing his belief in his potential and the stability of the team.

Mahrez added to his trophy collection by helping Manchester City achieve a historic domestic treble with a resounding 6–0 victory over Watford. This made him the first African player to accomplish such a feat in English football, having already won the EFL Cup and the Premier League earlier in the season.
Riyad Mahrez, although born in France, expressed his desire to represent Algeria internationally in November 2013. He made his debut for the Algerian national team on 31 May 2014, starting in a friendly match against Armenia, and was subsequently included in the squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Despite criticism from the Algerian media regarding his inclusion in the squad, Mahrez played in Algeria's opening group match against Belgium. However, he was dropped for the remainder of the tournament as Algeria progressed to the Round of 16.Mahrez scored his first international goal on 15 October 2014, and he was part of Algeria's squad for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, where he played a crucial role in the team journey to the quarter-finals.
In the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, Mahrez showcased his talent by scoring both goals in Algeria's opening match against Zimbabwe, earning himself the Man of the Match award.
After Algeria chances of qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup were dashed, Mahrez and his Leicester City teammate Islam Slimani were dropped from the national team by coach Lucas Alcaraz.

Mahrez continued to contribute to Algeria's success in subsequent tournaments, including scoring a brace in a crucial 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Togo, helping Algeria secure qualification for the tournament. Mahrez was named captain of the Algerian national team by coach Djamel Belmadi for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. He played a pivotal role in Algeria triumph at the tournament, scoring important goals including one in the semi-finals against Nigeria, and leading the team to their first Africa Cup of Nations title since 1990.Mahrez continued to lead Algeria as captain at the delayed 2021 Africa Cup of Nations held in January 2022, further cementing his status as a key figure in Algerian football.

Riyad Mahrez, known for his proficiency as a left footed right winger, is widely regarded as one of the top players in his position globally. His preferred role allows him to cut inside onto his stronger foot to shoot or deliver crosses into the box. However, Mahrez's versatility enables him to operate anywhere across the front line, including as an attacking midfielder, on either wing, or even as a false 9.
A player known for his quickness, creativity, and technical ability, Mahrez possesses exceptional trickery, balance, acceleration, and dribbling skills. His style of play is characterized by flair and ingenuity, making him a potent threat in one on one situations. While he has a knack for finding the back of the net, Mahrez is equally adept at providing assists, showcasing his vision and ability to create scoring opportunities for his teammates.

Despite his considerable talent, Mahrez has faced challenges with his penalty taking throughout his career, with inconsistencies in his record from the spot. However, his overall contribution to the game extends beyond scoring goals, as he is praised for his playmaking abilities and tactical awareness.Mahrez slender build often led to him being overlooked by scouts, but his exceptional ball skills and technique caught the attention of talent spotters. Over time, he has honed his game under the guidance of coaches like Claudio Ranieri at Leicester City and Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, focusing on improving his decision-making, defensive contributions, and overall tactical understanding.
One of Mahrez trademark moves is La speciale, a skillful feint where he deceives opponents by faking a shot with his left foot before flicking the ball behind his right foot to bypass defendersa testament to his creativity and inventiveness on the field.

Riyad Mahrez married his girlfriend, Rita Johal, in 2015, and the couple welcomed their first daughter later that same year. However, their relationship faced legal issues in June 2019 when they were ordered to pay a former nanny over 3,600 in unpaid wages. Mahrez personal life took a turn when he confirmed his relationship with English model Taylor Ward in October 2020, following his split from Johal. The couple announced their engagement in June 2021 and welcomed a daughter together in July 2022.As a devout Muslim, Mahrez practices Islam and, in June 2017, undertook the Umrah pilgrimage to Mecca.Mahrez encountered a setback in May 2020 when his penthouse apartment in Manchester was burgled, resulting in the loss of valuables worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.