TAYLOR WARD has admitted that she is “still haunted” by husband Riyad Mahrez’s brutal explanation that they were moving to Saudi Arabia.
Having helped Manchester City win the Treble last season, Mahrez had been planning to return for pre-season with Pep Guardiola and Co.
Taylor, who wed Mahrez in 2022, took part in the Prime Video “Married To The Game” series.
During filming of the show, the winger bluntly told Taylor that they’d be moving to Saudi Arabia after he received a lucrative offer, reportedly worth around £750,000 a week, from Al-Ahli.
The 26-year-old, daughter of former footballer Ashley and Real Housewives of Cheshire star Dawn, burst into tears – fearing that she would be left “at home on her own”.
Her reaction subsequently went viral, after Mahrez brutally said: “It’s part of the game isn’t it.”
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Having now spent six months in Saudi Arabia, Taylor has had time to reflect on her move.
Speaking to the Mail about Mahrez’s no-nonsense explanation, she said: “That line haunts me.
“I keep seeing it on social media. That whole week was just an emotional rollercoaster really. It was a huge shock and I had absolutely no idea.
“One day we were planning for Riyad to go back to pre-season with City and then overnight we were moving to Saudi and I was planning this whole move.
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“I think it was just very overwhelming at the time and a massive shock because I just didn’t see it coming at all.
“That scene with Riyad – that is just him to a tee. He is just straight talking and to the point.
“He is very much just like, ‘it is what it is, you’ve got to get over it now’, whereas I’m more emotional.
“That’s why we work because I’m a bit of a flapper in those situations and he’s very on the ball and just gets on with it.”
Having burst into tears at the thought of having to say goodbye to her friends and family in Manchester, Taylor now claims to have been pleasantly “surprised” by life in Saudi Arabia – with one home comfort in particular cheering her up.
She continued: “So far, the experience has been amazing. There’s obviously no alcohol so I won’t be having a glass of wine! To be honest, there’s more there than I originally thought.
“When I went on my first trip, I saw a Nando’s. I was just like ‘I’m so happy they’ve got Nando’s’. The vibe is just very different.
“It’s a lot more chilled out there, it’s quieter and calmer, whereas in Manchester life is so busy – there’s so much going on and we’re always going out for dinner and seeing friends.
You can’t compare it to the UK – it’s nothing like here
Taylor Ward
“That’s probably what I’m missing the most, seeing family and friends rather than what the country is missing.
“The people have been so lovely – I think that was actually a massive shock, how nice everyone has been.
“You can’t compare it to the UK – it’s nothing like here. I’m enjoying it so far, it just feels like I’m on holiday, I don’t feel like I’ve moved there yet.”
Mahrez’s former Premier League rival Jordan Henderson has already forced his way out of the Saudi Pro League, leaving Al-Ettifaq for Ajax last month.
Reports have also suggested that Roberto Firmino and Karim Benzema have become unsettled – but Mahrez has had no such complaints.
Taylor added: “Football is so unpredictable, when that transfer window opens you have no idea what’s going to happen.
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“For now, the plan is to stay in Saudi for a few years and enjoy it. I put so much effort into making this house nice so I want to live in it for a bit and enjoy settling down.
“We’ll see, who knows – right now he’s really enjoying it. He loves his club and he’s met some nice friends, a few other French guys on the team who he gets on really well with.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
