Mahrez: I wanted to be part of the Saudi project – Al-Ekhbariya

elhiwardzDecember 21, 2023

Mahrez: I wanted to be part of the Saudi project - Al-Ekhbariya

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The captain of the national team, Riyad Mahrez, refused to describe his transfer to the Saudi club Al-Ahly from Manchester City in England as a regretful decision in his interview with the British network “Sky Sports”.

The Al-Khader star said that his desire to become a professional in the Saudi League stems from a personal conviction to participate in the major sports project that the highest authorities in the Kingdom are working to achieve.

Mahrez stated on this point, saying: “It is an emerging and ambitious project, and I wanted to be a part of it. The country is growing and growing thanks to the huge sporting events that it organizes or wants to host, such as the 2030 World Cup.”

“There is a lot of stuff going on here, it’s exciting to be a part of this”

Riyad Mahrez explains why he left Manchester City for Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli 🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/eKR9FWPrA0

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 21, 2023

Mahrez meets his former teammates

Riyad Mahrez took advantage of the presence of his former team, Manchester City, in Jeddah, to participate in the Club World Cup, in order to visit his former teammates.

Coach Pep Guardiola revealed in a press conference that the Algerian was keen to go to the City mission headquarters, where he had dinner with the team.

“He’s been missing a lot”

Pep Guardiola on Man City’s team dinner with former team-mate Riyad Mahrez in 🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/iWozK8t7qD

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 21, 2023

Manchester City qualifies for the final of the competition, where it will meet the Brazilian team Fluminense, on Friday, at the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium in Jeddah at exactly seven o’clock Algeria time.

Guardiola did not hide his happiness at meeting his former striker, expressing at the same time his regret that Riyad was unable to watch the final match as a result of his commitments to his Al-Ahly team.

Riyad and his companions travel to face Al-Hazm Club, on Friday, in the 18th round of the tournament Dory Rushen Saudi.

Al-Ahly will try to maintain its third place in the competition, as it has 34 points, which is the same total as the Al-Taawoun team, which is two goals behind the representative of the city of Jeddah.