It’s been an emotional few days for anyone associated with Leicester City.
On Saturday evening, the club’s owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, as well as four others, were tragically killed in a helicopter accident outside the King Power Stadium following their match with West Ham.
Tributes have been flooding in from all over the world honouring the Thai businessman, who bought the club in 2010 and helped them rise out of the Championship and win the Premier League in the 2015/16 season, defying odds of 5,000-1.
AFP or licensors What a moment[/caption]
So it seems quite fitting that former Leicester forward Riyad Mahrez was the man to open the scoring for Man City this evening in their clash with Spurs.
Tapping home with an emphatic close range finish after Raheem Sterling’s cut-back, Mahrez gave Pep Guardiola’s men the early lead at Wembley.
And it was clear to everyone inside the stadium that the late Srivaddhanaprabha – someone he knew well from his time at Leicester – was on his mind when he celebrated his goal by pointing to the sky.
Getty Images - Getty
Riyad Mahrez points to the heavens after giving Man City the lead at Wembley.
— James Sharpe (@TheSharpeEnd) October 29, 2018
Mahrez arrived at Leicester in January 2014 from French side Le Havre and played a pivotal role in their title win two seasons later, winning the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award in the process.
He eventually left for City in the summer for £60 million.
Despite leaving the club, Mahrez has clearly been deeply affected by the tragic news and posted two pictures of himself with Srivaddhanaprabha on Instagram, saying: “One of the best person I’ve ever met. I will never forget you. Rest In Peace Vichai.”
READ MORE:
Adam Lallana has mastered the art of being beautifully counter productive Borussia Dortmund is a haven of redemption for football’s once forgotten strikers Kylian Mbappe was dropped against Marseille for a player relegated with Stoke last season WATCH: The second part of our exclusive documentary
SOCIALIZE IT →