Manchester City star admits desire to retire at Etihad Stadium

Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez has stated his desire to retire at the Etihad club, while speaking during a recent interview.

The Algerian international has been a key member of the Premier League champions' supreme attacking force in recent seasons. 

While playing alongside stars of the English game such as Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling, and Gabriel Jesus, Mahrez finished as the club’s top scorer in the 2021/22 campaign.

Recording a staggering tally of 24 goals in 47 appearances, the former Leicester City man was a standout performer in Pep Guardiola's operation.

However, that season was no flash in the pan in England.

Mahrez also lifted the 2019 AFCON title with Algeria and was named African Footballer of the Year in 2016.

The winger’s current contract at the Premier League club is set to expire in the summer 2025, when he will be 34-years-old. However, Riyad Mahrez has recently made a bold statement about his future at Manchester City. 

“I definitely want to finish my career at (Manchester) City and play as long as I can,” Mahrez said in a recent interview with the club.

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

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

However, after a superb 2021/22 season in which his 11 Premier League goals pushed Manchester City onto their fourth league title triumph in five seasons, Mahrez has got off to slow start in the new campaign.

After the departures of Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling gave the Algerian some hope of nailing down the starting spot at right-wing, a return of zero goals through six league appearances has seen Mahrez fall somewhat out of favour with Pep Guardiola. 

Newcomers Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland have hit the ground running, leaving the Algerian to struggle for playing time in a star-studded City squad. 

Luckily for Mahrez, a jam-packed fixture list through the fall and winter will mean plenty of rotation in the squad, and plenty of chances to get his season kick-started. 

On top of that, Algeria’s failure to qualify for the World Cup in November will mean Mahrez will get plenty of rest during the break.

If he is hoping to play out his final days as at the Etihad Stadium, the crafty winger will need to rediscover his form in a City shirt.