Manchester City forward Riyad Mahrez has opened up on his relationship with the late Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.
Srivaddhanaprabha died in a helicopter crash just outside the King Power Stadium following the Foxes’ 1-1 draw with West Ham United in the Premier Leeague. Srivaddhanaprabha was in the chopper alongside four other people and all the people were declared dead later.
Mahrez who signed by City this summer was pivotal to Leicester’s first Premier League triumph back in 2015-16. The Thai owner engineered a rapid transformation at the club since taking over and also ensured the club remain debt free after he cleared the massive £100m debt just after buying the club.
Not only the club, but the billionaire businessman also spread his generosity towards the city as he donated £1m to Leicester Royal Infirmary, £1m to Leicester University’s medical department and also gave another £2m for another children hospital.
Mahrez who scored City’s winning goal against Tottenham Hotspur said, “It’s been very difficult for me. The boss [Srivaddhanaprabha] was very special to me.
“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.”
