Algerian international Riyad Mahrez, the star of Saudi club Al-Ahly, has come under heavy criticism and mockery on social media platform “X” by French users. The backlash followed a tweet he posted during the Champions League match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Manchester City on Wednesday.
Riyad had congratulated his former Manchester City teammate, Jack Grealish, after he scored the opening goal for City. In his tweet, Riyad wrote, “My friend.” Shortly after, Erling Haaland added a second goal for the visitors. However, Manchester City failed to maintain their lead and ended up losing 4-2 at the Parc des Princes, making their path to qualification more challenging.
Mahrez Faces Mockery Following PSG Comeback
After the match, PSG fans took to social media to mock and criticise Riyad for his earlier tweet celebrating City’s lead. Many of the comments came from PSG supporters who used the Parisian team’s dramatic comeback to ridicule the Algerian star.
One PSG fan sarcastically replied to Mahrez’s tweet, writing “My friend” alongside a picture of PSG’s 4-2 victory. Another fan advised Mahrez to be cautious about posting during matches, saying, “Wait until the end of the match to post tweets next time, brother.”
Another critic posted an old photo of Riyad as a child wearing a PSG shirt and wrote, “We know you’re a PSG fan.”
Mahrez’s Background and Career
Riyad Mahrez, 33, was born in Paris, specifically in the Sarcelles suburb. Despite growing up in the French capital, he has never played for PSG. His career in France included stints with Sarcelles, Quimper, and Le Havre. After leaving Le Havre, Riyad moved to England, where he played for Leicester City and later Manchester City.
In the summer of 2023, Riyad decided to take on a new challenge, joining Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahly in the Roshn Saudi League. Since joining Al-Ahly, Mahrez has played 56 matches across all competitions, scoring 19 goals and providing 23 assists, according to data from “Transfer Market.”
Despite the online criticism, Riyad remains one of the most accomplished players in African football, known for his consistency and leadership on the field.
