Algerian Riyad Mahrez explains why he refused jersey number 11 at Man City

why Algeria’s Mahrez said ’no’ to number 11 jersey

JOHANNESBURG, March 26 (ANA) – Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez on Thursday explained why he turned down the famous number 11 jersey at English Premier League (EPL) giants Manchester City.

Mahrez, now aged 30, began his career in English football with Leicester City in 2014, and was a key member of the side which would go on to win the EPL title in the 2015/2016 season – with that triumph widely regarded as one of the greatest sporting shocks ever.

He left Leicester in 2018 after making 158 appearances and scoring 42 goals to join Manchester City. His time with Leicester, clearly will remain special to the player who was still making a name for himself on the biggest stage.

“The story behind the 26, when I arrived at Leicester, there was only two numbers left,” Mahrez told ManCity.com.

“28 and 26, so I said ‘alright, I’ll take 26’ and it’s given me a lot of good things. I won the league with Leicester, Champions League quarterfinal and then I liked it and kept it.

“When I arrived here, I could’ve taken 11 but I prefer to stick with number 26.”

With Manchester City in his first season, he helped them win the EPL, the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup.

Mahrez has now made 83 appearances for Manchester City, scoring 27 goals. City are currently hurtling towards the EPL title with 71 points from 30 games. They have a 14-point lead over second-placed Manchester United. – African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Michael Sherman