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6 months ago
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Taylor Ward, Riyad Mahrez’s partner, had a particularly bad experience with the Algerian international’s transfer to Saudi Arabia last summer.
A transfer is never trivial in the life of a footballer. When they change clubs to take a step forward in their career, gain playing time or discover another championship, some players take their wife and family with them. Who didn’t ask for anything. This is the painful experience lived by Taylor Ward, the companion of Riyad Mahrez, who had to follow the Algerian international to Saudi Arabia last summer.
After five seasons at Manchester City, where he no longer had enough playing time, the 33-year-old winger took over the management of Al-Ahli, who bet 35 million euros on him. A departure experienced as heartbreaking by the one who has shared his life since 2020. “One day he called while I was on the beach to tell me we were going to Saudi Arabia and that he was going the next day”she says in the documentary Married To The Gameon Prime Video.
“Didn’t have a minute to say goodbye to everyone”
” That’s all. I couldn’t believe this was happening. It happened so quickly that we didn’t have a minute to say goodbye to everyone.”, she adds, in tears. In an extract broadcast on X (formerly Twitter), the British model and influencer explains herself to her husband, trying to make him realize that this transfer is in reality “a bigger change” for her than for him. “I have to leave Manchester, it’s my home”she told him.
“When you arrive in Saudi Arabia, you will automatically have 30 new friends, along with your teammates. Whereas I will sit at home, alone in my corner, with no acquaintances. You will be my only friend and you will be fed up with me”she fears. “You can come back whenever you want (to Manchester)then retorts the former English champion with Leicester. It’s part of the game, right? » A game that made Taylor Ward crack up.
In ” panic “ when she noticed that the swimming pool at her hotel was reserved for men and surprised to learn that it was forbidden to consume alcohol, even at home, the Englishwoman said she had the feeling “to have no choice” to follow Riyad Mahrez in the Gulf. But in reality, the rules are not that strict once you get there. “It’s more relaxed compared to what I was initially told”, she admits. Enough to make his life a little sweeter.
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Manu Tournoux is a passionate and knowledgeable football enthusiast with a special focus on French football. Born and raised in France, Manu discovered his love for the beautiful game at a young age and developed a deep understanding of the ins and outs of "Le Championnat." His French roots and extensive experience in football journalism have made him an invaluable asset to the French Football Weekly team. As an author for the website, Manu's expertise includes not only in-depth analysis of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 matches but also insightful profiles of up-and-coming talents, detailed transfer news, and engaging coverage of the French national team. His captivating writing style and undeniable passion for the game have earned him a loyal following among our readers. When he's not crafting engaging articles for French Football Weekly, Manu enjoys attending live matches whenever he can, exploring football culture in various French cities, and engaging in spirited debates with fellow fans. Feel free to follow Manu on Twitter and interact with him as he shares his expert opinions, insights, and love for French football.
