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Riyad Mahrez, the Algerian international footballer, has had quite a journey in his career so far. He started out at hometown club ES Sétif before moving to Algeria's top-flight club Raja Casablanca. However, he was not able to make a significant impact and left the club in 2011. Mahrez then moved on to play for several clubs in Europe including Stade Rennais, Olympique Lyonnais, and AS Monaco. In 2017, he joined Manchester City where he quickly became one of the team's key players. His performance earned him a place in the Premier League Team of the Year in 2019. However, Mahrez's time with Manchester City did not go as planned. He struggled to find his form after joining the club and his contract expired at the end of the season. After being released by Manchester City,Saudi Pro League Focus Mahrez signed a two-year deal with Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia. Al Ittihad is one of the most successful clubs in Saudi Arabia, having won the league title four times since its inception in 2016. The club is owned by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, who has been involved in various controversial initiatives, including the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Mahrez's decision to join Al Ittihad has been met with mixed reactions from fans of both Manchester City and Al Ittihad. Some fans have criticized Mahrez for leaving Manchester City without giving them enough notice or compensation, while others have praised his decision to move to a club that could give him more playing time and opportunities. Overall, Mahrez's time at Al Ittihad will be remembered as a period of transition for him. While it may not have been the success he hoped for, it allowed him to experience new challenges and opportunities that he may not have had if he stayed at Manchester City. |
