Riyad Mahrez’s wife broke down in tears as she said she has “no choice” but to follow her husband to Saudi Arabia, before revealing she “got scared when the reality of life in the conservative nation became clear.”
The former Manchester City star sealed a £30million move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli last summer, earning a deal worth £750,000-a-week, in a shock transfer.
Taylor Ward revealed in the new Prime Video series ‘Married to the Game’ that she had not given much notice of her husband’s move to the nation.
Ward broke down in tears when speaking to her sister Darby about the prospect of moving to Saudi Arabia in the first episode of the series, admitting that she felt like she “had no choice.”
“I feel like everyone is going to be everywhere, it’s going to be very difficult, life is going to be very different,” Ward said.
Riyad Mahrez’s wife Taylor Ward broke down in tears over her move to Saudi Arabia.
Ward admitted that he did not like moving to Saudi Arabia and stated that he has no choice.
Ward said she was “overwhelmed” after former Manchester City star Mahrez informed her he would be joining Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli.
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‘I feel like it’s very difficult, there are times when I can’t, I just don’t like it.
‘We have to talk about something else, I can’t stop crying.
“I don’t like it, I have no choice.”
Ward said she was “overwhelmed” when Mahrez informed her they were leaving Man City and moving to Jeddah at short notice.
The winger told her: “It’s part of the game, no,” after she expressed concern that she would “be left alone at home.”
The series, which will air on February 23, will show how the Mahrez family has adapted to life in Saudi Arabia.
Ward, daughter of former Premier League player Ashley Ward, has traveled back and forth from Manchester as she concludes preparations to move home permanently.
There has been a lot of talk about the restrictions in Saudi Arabia. Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson’s family lived in more commercial Bahrain during his ill-fated six-month spell, although they still struggled to settle before he sealed his move to Dutch side Ajax.
Ward is a social media sensation with nearly 3 million followers on her Instagram account.
The Amazon Prime series aims to offer an insight into the lives of wives and girlfriends and Premier League footballers like Ward.
Mail Sport reported how the wife of a player who had joined a Saudi club last summer was being booed in a shopping center for wearing shorts.
Reports have also emerged that players’ wives and girlfriends have felt isolated and vulnerable in the conservative Islamic nation.
In the second episode, Ward admits that he got “scared” after the reality of living in Saudi Arabia became apparent.
The model and influencer said she had called ahead to a hotel to ask what she and her 18-month-old daughter Mila could wear in the pool because she was aware of Saudi Arabia’s conservative attitudes.
She revealed her surprise to a friend when the hotel informed her that the pool was for men only.
“I won’t lie, I had a panic attack yesterday,” Ward said.
‘I called the hotel to ask: “I’m going with my baby, what do people wear in the pool?” I know it’s much more conservative there and you have to dress a certain way.
‘I said, “I just want to check when I come with a baby what’s best to wear, whether I need to wear something covered if I’m going to go in the water.
“They said, ‘Oh no, I’m sorry, it’s just a men’s pool, it’s just a gentlemen’s pool.’
Ward admitted to having a realistic view of life in Saudi Arabia when she called a hotel to ask what she and the couple’s 18-month-old daughter, Mila, could wear in a pool.
She admitted being “scared” after being told the hotel pool was “men only”.
The model and influencer revealed her surprise at not being able to drink alcohol in Saudi Arabia
‘Women can’t use it, so I’m not going to lie, after that I had a little breakdown because it affected me.
‘I know it’s very stupid, I don’t even like swimming or getting my hair wet, but it’s just the reality that you’re not moving to Spain.
“It’s a very different way of life, I didn’t realize until Riyad told me you couldn’t drink there.”
When her friend responded, “You’ll do it at home,” Ward highlighted how strict the rules were.
“You’re not allowed to drink all the way through, you can’t just drink inside,” Ward said.
‘Not in the whole country, you can’t even buy it at the airport.
“No one is coming to visit me.”
Speaking to Mail Sport about the series, Ward revealed he has been adjusting to life in Saudi Arabia.
This has included meeting wives and girlfriends of Mahrez’s teammates at Al-Ahli, many of whom are “in the same boat” exploring and discovering a new country in an unfamiliar environment.
Ward had expressed concern to friends about moving to the conservative Islamic nation.
Mahrez and Ward married in September for the second time, after first holding a Muslim ceremony in 2022.
Ward also stated that the rules are being relaxed all the time.
‘I think it depends on where you go. At the moment they are considering making these rules more flexible,” she stated.
‘From what I had heard, I was worried about those things when we first went, but I was surprised. He is more relaxed from what I was told at the beginning.
‘Everyone has supported us a lot. Obviously at first it was a shock. My grandparents still live in the UK and were devastated that I was leaving. It’s only a five and a half hour flight if you want to see me. We’ll just do round trips and my family will come see me.
‘My mom and dad live in Dubai, which is a two-hour flight away. “They have been to Saudi Arabia six or seven times already and they constantly come to see me, which is nice.”