Guardiola hails Ronaldo's Saudi move, bids Mahrez farewell

Manchester City announced on Friday that winger Riyad Mahrez had left the club to join Saudi side Al Ahli and the following day, the Algerian's former manager Pep Guardiola paid tribute to him in a press conference.

“He was loved by the staff. An important figure in the success we have had in the last five years. I wish him and his family all the best,” said the Spaniard of the 32-year-old who won 11 trophies with the Cityzens.

"Incredible skills and technical ability. I enjoyed as a manager to be with him. I had a special relationship with him," he continued. "Our relationship was with incredible respect".

Asked about replacing Mahrez, Guardiola said that the club would wait and see: "It is not easy to replace this kind of player. He doesn't feel the pressure he is a guy who has to play every single day to be happy. I understand completely (his decision to leave). I know how tough it was to not play in the FA Cup final and Champions League finals".

"We are not looking for replacement of Riyad in terms of skill because every player is different. We will see what happens with loan players, and which players stay here. A few things are going to happen".

 

July 29, 2023

Mahrez is the latest player to join the exodus heading for the big-spending Saudi Pro-League, joining the likes of Roberto Firmino, who left Liverpool and will be the winger's teammate at Al Ahli. Guardiola acknowledged the impact of the pull of the Gulf state's league, sparked by the move of Cristiano Ronaldo in December 2022.

“Saudi Arabia has changed the market. A few months ago when Cristiano (Ronaldo) was the only one to go, no one thought this many top, top players would play in the Saudi league", he noted. “In the future there will be more and that’s why clubs need to be aware of what is happening. Riyad got an incredible offer and that's why we could not say don't do it.”

 

July 28, 2023