Wag by Riyad Mahrez shows what life is really like in Saudi Arabia

As she put it, Taylor Ward is "still haunted" by her husband Riyad Mahrez's harsh justification for their move to Saudi Arabia.

Luke Meyer

February 13, 2024

Mahrez had been planning to return for preseason play with Pep Guardiola and company after helping Manchester City win the Triple Crown the previous season.

His wife Taylor participated in the Prime Video series “Married To The Game” after marrying Mahrez in 2022. The winger told Taylor straight during the show’s production that they would be relocating to Saudi Arabia after he received a huge offer from Al-Ahli, which was reputedly worth about £750,000 a week.

The 26-year-old, who is the daughter of Real Housewives of Cheshire actress Dawn and former football player Ashley, broke down in tears, worried that she would be left “at home on her own”.

She then went viral for her response to Mahrez’s scathing comment, “It’s part of the game, isn’t it?”

Taylor has had six months to think back on her decision to move to Saudi Arabia.

Regarding Mahrez’s straightforward justification, she told the Mail, “That line haunts me.”On social media, I keep seeing it. Really, the entire week was nothing more than an emotional rollercoaster. I was completely unaware of that, so it was rather shocking.”We were preparing for Riyad to return to City’s preseason one day, and the next we were flying to Saudi Arabia, and I was in charge of the entire relocation process.

“I believe that at the moment, it was simply quite overwhelming and shocking because I had no idea what to expect.”That moment involving Riyad perfectly captures him. He speaks simply and concisely, while I am more sentimental. “He is very much just like, ‘it is what it is, you’ve got to get over it now,'” I said.We work well together since I can be a bit of a flapper in those circumstances and he just goes with the flow.”

The life in Saudi Arabia

Taylor, who had cried at the prospect of having to say goodbye to her friends and relatives in Manchester, now says she was “surprised” by life in Saudi Arabia, with one particular comfort from home making her feel better.

“The experience has been amazing so far,” she said. Of course there isn’t any alcohol, therefore I’m not having a glass of wine! There’s more there than I initially believed, to be honest. Upon my initial visit, I observed a Nando’s. I was just like ‘I’m overjoyed that they have Nando’s. It’s just a whole different vibe.”In contrast to Manchester, where there is a lot going on and we frequently go out to eat and see friends, there is much more laid back, quieter, and calmer living.

It is not comparable to the UK; it is entirely different.”Seeing family and friends is probably what I miss the most, not what the nation is lacking.You can’t compare it to the UK; it’s nothing like here. “The people have been so lovely—I think that was actually a massive shock, how nice everyone has been.” So far, I’m having fun; it just doesn’t feel like I’ve moved in yet; I feel like I’m on vacation.”