Riyad Mahrez makes significant claim over how his Man City spell will end, ‘definitely’ knowing what he wants

Riyad Mahrez has revealed he is hoping to never have to find a new club, having outlined an intention to retire at Manchester City – but not just yet.

Mahrez signed a contract extension with the Premier League champions back in July. He is now due to be part of their squad until 2025, which will be seven years after his arrival from Leicester City.

The contract announcement in the summer came as something of a relief to Manchester City. Previously, there had been rumours of interest in Mahrez from other clubs, such as Paris Saint-Germain and even Chelsea.

Ultimately, Mahrez committed his future to Manchester City. But now, he has revealed that he may be willing to commit the rest of his career to the club.

In quotes published on the club’s official website, Mahrez said: “I definitely want to finish my career at City and play as long as I can.

“I think I can still play for a long time. We’ll see what the future holds after football.

“I don’t know. I’m still thinking. I love football so it’ll be difficult to come out of it.”

By the time his contract expires, Mahrez will have reached the age of 34. With that in mind, he is closer to the end of his career than the start of it.

But the winger still seems to be at the top of his game. Indeed, last season was the most prolific of his career to date, with 24 goals in all competitions.

Although yet to get off the mark in 2022-23, he has hit double figures of goals in all four of his previous seasons with the club, as well as the three immediately before with Leicester.

Mahrez has fulfilled his ‘destiny’

Along the way, Mahrez has won four Premier League titles – one famously with Leicester, and the rest with his current employers.

Already, the Algeria international can reflect on his career as a success, which justifies all the work he has put in for it.

He confirmed: “Yeah, I always wanted to be successful in football; that was my only target.

“Some people want to be successful in a few things. For me the only thing was football. I left school at 17 and went 100% on football, I tried to give it my all and fortunately I made it.

“It wasn’t easy – it still isn’t – but you have to make a lot of sacrifices. At the end, when you do everything, it’s your destiny.”

Mahrez’s overall record for Manchester City up to this point reads 198 appearances, 63 goals and 48 assists. They are the club he has represented the most, scored for the most and set up the most goals for.

There should be a lot more to come from the former Le Havre player over at least the next three seasons. He will hope to keep proving his worth and ensure he can go out on a high note when the time comes.

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