After leaving Leicester City to join Manchester City in 2018, Riyad Mahrez took the next step in his career and as they say, the rest is history.
The Algerian went on to win four Premier League titles, the Champions League in a treble-winning season, two FA Cup trophies and one Carabao Cup.
Thierry Henry believes Mahrez was underappreciated during his final season at City as he would always contribute, either as a starter or even off the bench.
However, big names within football like Henry and even Ousmane Dembele rated Mahrez highly, much like the Manchester City fans who celebrated him as the 34-year-old signed for the Sky Blues on this day in 2018.
Man City fans praise Riyad Mahrez exactly seven years on from the day he signed
One fan lauded Mahrez by naming him as the best winger to have ever played for Manchester City by simply writing: “Greatest MCFC winger of all time! Miss him at the Etihad so much.”
A second City supporter claimed that the former Leicester City winger proved to be a brilliant signing, as he wrote: “What a signing he turned out to be…his magical left foot clutch goals, and that calmness under pressure. Mahrez moments will always be special.”
A third Manchester City fan gave Mahrez the ultimate compliment, revealing: “One of my favorite City players [of] all time.”
A fourth City supporter claimed that the Africa Cup of Nations winger had a fear factor during his time at the Etihad Stadium: “In the days of Mahrez, no team wanted to face City. What a player he was.”
Mahrez was underrated at Manchester City and a fan agrees, stating: “Brilliant player and the best first touch of any player I’ve seen. Underappreciated legend of our team.”
Finally, a sixth Manchester City fan also expressed how much they miss Mahrez, writing: “Forever miss Mahrez, an absolute beast for us one of the best wingers we’ve had.”
The Sarcelles-born technician must appreciate that he commands such adoration and respect from those at the Etihad Stadium despite leaving in 2023.
Riyad Mahrez revealed the club he almost joined before Man City
While he has gone on to become a fan favourite at Manchester City, Mahrez revealed he almost joined Arsenal.
Mahrez said: “After the Premier League] title-winning year [in 2016], if I was in a top team, it would not have been the same story.”
“For me, it is clear that I lost two years at the very highest level. I lost two years!”
“Because instead of being at City at 27, I could have been there at 24 or 25. Leicester blocked me. They told me: ‘You cannot go, you cannot go!’
“My agent had talked with [Arsene] Wenger who really wanted to sign me, it was almost done with Arsenal in the summer of 2016…I was really frustrated.”
Mahrez concluded: “It’s not easy to go from being the PFA Players’ Player of the Year to being part of a team fighting for Premier League survival. It’s not the same job. Everyone is waiting on you and expects you to perform.”
