Recently, Riyad Mahrez gave an in-depth account of his exit from Manchester City, highlighting the crucial roles that Pep Guardiola and Txiki Begiristain had in trying to convince him to stay longer.
His exit from City, which was accompanied by a sizable £30 million transfer to Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia, signaled the end of an incredible five years that included a historic Champions League triumph.
Mahrez publicly expressed regret for not having reached his goals despite this achievement, particularly because he was not included in important starting lineups and missed important matches such as the Champions League final.
Mahrez explained in detail the complexities underlying his decision-making process. He might have chosen to play out the final two years of his Manchester City contract, but he saw this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
A number of factors contributed to his decision to depart, including his desire to make up for what he saw as lost opportunities in significant matches and the possibility of giving his family long-term security through a lucrative contract in a country where the majority of people are Muslims, such as Saudi Arabia.
For the skilled winger, moving to Al Ahli also meant taking on a whole new project and a new challenge. Mahrez was appreciative of Guardiola and Begiristain’s sincere efforts during this time of reflection. Both powerful members of Manchester City’s administration fervently supported Mahrez’s extension of his fruitful stay at Etihad.
Mahrez finally decided to start this new chapter in his professional career despite their strong arguments and a careful analysis of the benefits and drawbacks. While he acknowledged that he had not made this decision lightly, he now feels satisfied and comfortable with it. Mahrez’s exit represents a major turning point in his career.
Though he was aware of the honors and successes he had received while at City, in the later part of his career he experienced a deep feeling of unrealized potential. His decision to join Al Ahli, however, marks the beginning of a new chapter in his remarkable career and represents his pursuit of personal fulfillment, fresh challenges, and providing a safe atmosphere for his family.
