6 unknown facts about Riyad Mahrez

Mahrez has been outstanding this season for LeicesterBorn on 21 February 1991, Riyad Mahrez has been thoroughly instrumental in the success of Leicester City this season.The Algerian along with his English counterpart, Jamie Vardy have racked up a total of 34 goals in 29 matches, thrusting the Foxes to the number one position in the Premier League table.Though the Leicester City midfielder is usually a reserved person who enjoys being out of the spotlight, in a recent interview given to The Guardian, he spoke his heart out.Here are six little-known facts about Riyad Mahrez that you should know:

#6 Friends with Paul Pogba\'s brother

The 25-year-old is friends with the Juventus midfielder’s brother, Mathias. In a recent interview, the other Pogba revealed that the duo got along together when Mahrez joined minnows, Quimper who used to play in the seventh tier of French football.

And although they are still good friends, the duo got off to a rocky start due to the Algerian midfielder's untidiness.

“As a room-mate, first of all I couldn't get on with him because he was not tidy at all,

“I had to domesticate him, I had to put him on his feet. Then after two or three months everything was alright.”

The Frenchman added, “With the ball at his feet he's unstoppable, but I always told him, ‘You need to get bigger because you are too skinny.’”

When asked to compare the Algerian with his younger brother, Mathias said, “Can he be as good as Paul? I think he can.”

#5 A family man

Mahrez Vardy — Riyad Mahrez celebrates with Jamie Vardy

According to an interview, the Algerian has revealed that he is a complete family man.

Mahrez tied the knot with an Englishwoman in the summer before committing his professional future to the Foxes by signing a contract extension until 2019 despite interest from various other big clubs like Roma and Villarreal.

There were even rumours of inquiries from Luis Enrique’s Catalan side.

The Premier League sensation of 2015-16 also states, “I don’t care about things like that. I am a Leicester City footballer and I am happy here. In life if you have to go somewhere you go but I don’t want to think about that.”

#4 First Algerian to score a Premier League hat-trick

Riyad Mahrez is the first and only Algerian - at least for the time being - to have scored a Premier League hat-trick. On 5 December 2015, the 25-year-old had achieved this impressive feat during Leicester’s decisive 3-0 victory against Swansea City FC.

Even Ali Benarbia, who used to play for Manchester City between 2001 to 2003 couldn’t achieve this.

The Algerian international has been in scintillating form this season finding the back of the net 15 times and creating chances on 11 other occasions in the Premier League alone, forming a lethal pairing with Jamie Vardy.

#3 Coaches told him he couldn\'t make it as a footballer

Riyad Mahrez wasn’t the most physically developed player in his younger days. In fact, he still kind of looks skinny as compared to the other Premier League stars.

The 25-year-old revealed, “They said I was too skinny, everyone will push you off the ball. I had a good technique but physically I wasn’t too strong. And I wasn’t fast. But I always worked hard.”

In an interview given to L’Equipe last year, Mohamed Coulibaly, the technical director of Sarcelles FC, told the French daily, “He was very frail. But he never gave up and that’s paying off. You can see on the pitch that he never hides. From very early on he learned to take responsibilities. He has something more than technique; he has the guts and character that make great players.”

#2 Fulfilling his fathers dreams

Mahrez’s father, Ahmed passed away at the age of 54 when his second son, Riyad was just 15. Mahrez, Sr. had been a constant presence in his son’s footballing development and accompanied him to every single game that the Algerian played in.

The Foxes midfielder has described his Dad’s passing away as the “kick start” to his career and instead of retreating into grief, he used the mishap to be “more serious” about football.

In the same interview, Mahrez revealed, “My dad was always behind me, he wanted me to be a footballer.”

“He was always with me. He came to every game with me to give me help. He played before for small teams in Algeria and France so he knew what he was saying, so I listened to him. (His death) maybe was the kick start. I don’t know if I started to be more serious but after the death of my dad things started to go for me. Maybe in my head I wanted it more,” he added.

#1 Thought Leicester City was a rugby club

Riyad Mahrez Watford — Mahrez celebrates his goal against Watford

Leicester City has had a sensational Premier League campaign this season as they currently sit pretty at the top of the table, five points clear of second-placed Tottenham. And, the Algerian midfielder has been a key part of this barely unbelievable story.

But it turns out that the 25-year-old didn’t even know who Leicester was before he set his feet in England.

In a recent interview, he admitted, “I didn't know Leicester. In France, we didn't really know them because they were in the Championship. I thought they were a rugby club. I was like ‘I don't know’ but then I came here to see the facilities and they were good. I do not regret signing for them; it's the best club I've ever been at.”

Unbelievable, right?

Edited by Staff Editor