Riyad Mahrez experienced a slight delay in joining the Algerian national team after his wife, Taylor Ward, welcomed a new addition to their family.

At 34, Mahrez transitioned from Manchester City to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli in 2023, continuing to make a significant impact in the Middle East’s football scene.

As a seasoned player with 106 international caps, Mahrez leads Algeria as their captain. The team recently secured their spot in next summer’s World Cup, marking another milestone in his impressive career.

Algerian coach Vladimir Petkovic granted Mahrez time to be with his family following the birth. Mahrez, who shares a daughter named Mila with Ward, also has two daughters from his previous marriage to Rita Johal.

Now reunited with the Desert Warriors, Mahrez is set to participate in upcoming friendlies against Zimbabwe and Saudi Arabia. Conveniently, both matches will take place in the Middle East, aligning with Mahrez’s current professional base.

Riyad Mahrez and his wife Taylor Ward have welcomed a baby boy into the world 

Ward has regularly shared updates and photos throughout her pregnancy on social media 

Despite his late arrival, Mahrez is anticipated to contribute significantly to the team, although it’s possible he might be rested for the first game to accommodate his recent commitments.

Ward previously starred alongside Mahrez on Amazon series Married to the Game, which gave viewers a deep dive into the lives of footballers’ wives and girlfriends.

Ward, who has provided fans with updates on her pregnancy throughout on social media, opened up on her life during that programme, including the moment when Mahrez revealed he would be leaving City for Saudi Arabia in a clip that went viral.

Ward said she was ‘overwhelmed’ when Mahrez informed her they would be leaving Manchester and moving to Jeddah at short notice, with the star telling her: ‘It’s part of the game, innit,’ after she had expressed concern that she would be ‘sat at home on my own’.

Speaking to Daily Mail Sport last year, Ward admitted Mahrez’s response to her ‘still haunts me’, but said the Algerian player was ‘straight-talking’ and ‘to the point’.

‘That whole week was just an emotional rollercoaster really,’ she said. ‘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.

‘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.’

Mahrez has since joined up with his country though after missing their first training session

Ward has previously opened up on life in Saudi Arabia and she has a daughter with Mahrez

Ward said she was ‘overwhelmed’ when Mahrez’s exit from Man City came about so quickly

Ward spoke of how the pair were on holiday when Mahrez received the offer before he jetted home to say his goodbyes to his City team-mates – and the wheels started turning quickly. The fast-nature of the move left her with little time to process things, or even say her own goodbyes to people at the Etihad.

‘We were actually on holiday at the time and there was talk about the move,’ added Ward. ‘Riyad had a few years left on his contract at City and was really settled there. Every conversation was “we’re not going to move yet, it’s something we’ll consider in a few years”. I started hearing people from Saudi showing interest but never thought anything would come of it.

‘He flew home two days early to start pre-season so as far as I was concerned he was going back to Man City and that was it. One day he rang me while I was sat on the beach and said “we’re moving and I’m going tomorrow, that’s it”.

‘He put me on the phone to one of the girls at the club and I burst into tears – I was like “I can’t believe this is happening”. It happened so quick, you don’t get a minute to say bye to everyone. One minute he was starting pre-season, the next he was saying goodbye.’

Ward later insisted she was left ‘surprised’ by life in the Middle East, having been made to feel a little bit closer to home after finding solace in a few creature comforts – including spotting an unlikely Nando’s chain.

‘So far, the experience has been amazing,’ she added in the same interview. ‘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. 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.’