Manchester City: Riyad Mahrez pays tribute to LCFC owner

Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez paid tribute to former Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha after Monday’s match

In what has been an emotional week for the entire world of football, one of Manchester City’s very own has been struck particularly hard by the tragic news out of Leicester. As we are sure you are aware, Leicester City chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and four others passed away in a helicopter accident on Saturday evening and it has shaken the football world to its core.

Srivaddhanaprabha purchased the Foxes in 2010 when they were a middling Championship club and in one of the unlikeliest turnarounds in the history of football, lead them to a Premier League title in the 2015-16 season. One of the key players in that incredible title run was current Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez who rose from obscurity in the French second division to world stardom in just two short years.

Mahrez, in what seemed like destiny, scored the winner for City on Monday and took his moment in the spotlight to pay tribute to Srivaddhanaprabha in his post-match interview. Mahrez, as quoted by Sky Sports, said the following:

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"“I spent four and a half years there and have many memories with him. He was such a good person and such a good human so I am very, very sad, that’s why today when I scored I put my hands in the sky for him because he did a lot for me and for Leicester. It’s difficult to speak about it because it’s very sad.He was like a dad for us. He was very special. He was such a good person, with a very big heart and it was heartbreaking and shocking for me to hear the news, of course with all the other people who died.It’s a difficult situation and I am with Leicester and the families of the victims.”"

Mahrez was also asked if it was a difficult decision to play so soon after the accident and said:

"“I always wanted to play. I know he would have wanted me to play. He was very passionate about football. It was difficult. I kept thinking about him. It was difficult to sleep.”"

The Thai billionaire was known for his kindness and generosity to those in the Leicester City family and all around the city of Leicester itself. He was known just as much for his work with the club as he was for his philanthropic efforts around the city and judging from the tributes pouring in from his players and other key figures in football, was a great friend as well.

Leicester City has postponed its Carabao Cup match this week to give the club and the football world time to grieve and pay tribute to the man who lifted them to unseen heights. The Foxes will one day have to bounce back and carry on with business as usual but they will always have the spirit and vision of Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha to carry them onward and upward to perhaps even greater things.