‘Four thousand photos in six days’ – Leicester City star on newfound fame & Ballon d’Or hopes

 

Bought for peanuts from Le Havre, Riyad Mahrez, after last season, is now one of the more famous footballers in the world.

Winning the league with Leicester City will do that to you, just look at Jamie Vardy and his Hollywood film currently in the pipeline.

Speaking to France Football, the Algerian winger explained how his life has changed, especially during the summer break, since he helped his 5000/1 teammates to an incredible achievement.

He said: “It was crazy! In Algeria, I couldn’t even leave the house. They all came in front of my family’s house. There were crazy queues to take pictures with me. I was tired, but they didn’t care. They needed their photos, to talk with me and touch me. I think I must’ve taken 3000-4000 photos in less than six days.

“In the village where I used to go on holiday with my dad, they built a small 3G pitch and we went there discreetly to play a bit. But, every day, people were there, hanging around, because they knew I’d come. The police had to close it for us to be left alone, but that didn’t stop them and they jumped the fence.”

While he knows the club’s achievement last season was outstanding, the winger was also quick to downplay a repeat performance from the champions, saying: “We know Leicester aren’t going to win the title again. We’re not Manchester or Chelsea.”

The club’s aim is to now become a stable Premier League club, which would be a victory in itself.

As for his personal goals? The player isn’t thinking about the Ballon d’Or: “Maybe in two or three years time, if all goes well, why not?”

If he continues on last season’s form (17 league goals and 11 assists) and keeps lighting up the Premier League, whether it is for Leicester or someone else, he’ll certainly have to be considered a candidate.