Mahrez's Live Stream Remark Sparks Potential Marital Friction

Riyad Mahrez may have caused marital discord with a comment made to Dele Alli during a live stream, where the footballer alluded to encountering "f***ing birds in here" while in Dubai. The remark, overheard by thousands of viewers, prompted a sheepish reaction from Alli, who quickly adjusted his position away from the microphone.

Mahrez, who has been married to British model and influencer Taylor Ward since 2023, resides with her and their two children in Saudi Arabia, where he plays for Al-Ahli. The couple also appeared in the Amazon series 'Married to the Game,' which documented the lives of footballers' partners. Previously, Mahrez also had two children with his first wife, Rita Johal.

Ward, a co-founder of the jewelry line Astalia, has cultivated a significant social media presence with nearly three million followers. The live stream incident risks embarrassing her, given her public profile and the couple's documented relationship, which included her candid discussions about Mahrez's abrupt move from Manchester City to Saudi Arabia. She described the transition as overwhelming and a "massive shock," recalling Mahrez's pragmatic response, "it is what it is, you've got to get over it now."

Mahrez, widely considered one of Africa's greatest footballers, has scored twice in four appearances for Al-Ahli this season. Meanwhile, Alli, currently without a club, appears to be focusing on developing his media presence while expressing a continued desire to return to professional football.