In an exclusive statement to the sports news portal Tribuna, Algerian footballer Rayan Ait Nouri, currently representing Manchester City, expressed his profound admiration for his compatriot Riyad Mahrez, who is hailed as the finest player in the annals of Algerian football history. Mahrez, now a key figure at Al-Ahli Saudi FC, evidently left an indelible impression on Ait Nouri prior to his own transfer to Manchester City from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Insights into Manchester City and Mahrez’s Influence
Reflecting on his transition between clubs, Ait Nouri recounted the numerous conversations he had with Mahrez during his tenure at Wolverhampton. These exchanges provided him with a vivid portrayal of life at Manchester City, both on and off the pitch. According to Ait Nouri, Mahrez’s depiction of the club and its city was unequivocally accurate, enriching his understanding and easing his integration upon arrival.
He elaborated, emphasizing how Mahrez had portrayed the city as vibrant and welcoming, highlighting the warmth he would encounter within the team’s dressing room. “Mahrez told me that the city is wonderful and that we would receive a warm reception in the locker room, describing everyone as exceedingly friendly,” Ait Nouri remarked. This account proved to be spot-on, as he experienced exactly such hospitality once he joined Manchester City.