Rayan Aït-Nouri is preparing for his first outing as a Manchester City player, with the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States set to mark his debut on the global stage.
The Algerian left-back, signed from Wolverhampton Wanderers for a fee exceeding €40 million, steps into a squad rich with talent—and he does so with the backing of one of Algeria’s most accomplished footballers.
Former City winger Riyad Mahrez, now at Al Ahli Saudi FC, has extended a personal gesture of support by asking his ex-teammate Bernardo Silva to look after Aït-Nouri as he settles into his new surroundings.
“I spoke with Riyad last week. Even yesterday we chatted,” Bernardo Silva revealed during a media interaction ahead of City’s Club World Cup clash against Wydad Casablanca. “He’s a close friend, and I miss him a lot. When we signed Rayan Aït-Nouri, he called me and said, ‘Take care of him.’”
The Portuguese midfielder praised Aït-Nouri’s early impression at the club, noting both his professionalism and potential.
“His behaviour in his first week with us has been fantastic. He’s a young player who will help us a lot, and we’ll be there for him if he needs anything. He’s very talented, and we’re all here to support him,” Silva added.
Mahrez, who spent five trophy-laden years at the Etihad Stadium, knows better than most the standards and pressure that come with wearing the City shirt.
During his time in Manchester, he collected an enviable haul of 11 major honours, including three Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League in 2023.
Despite being a key figure in that European triumph, Mahrez never had the opportunity to feature in the Club World Cup, having left for Saudi Arabia in the summer of 2023 before the competition took place.
His absence from that tournament adds a poignant undertone to his mentorship of Aït-Nouri, who now prepares to make his mark on the same platform.
For Aït-Nouri, this move marks a significant new chapter.
No longer competing in the Premier League’s mid-table, the 23-year-old now joins a team constantly in pursuit of silverware.
Surrounded by elite players and a world-class coaching staff, his development will be closely watched both in Manchester and across Algeria.
The Club World Cup, running from June 15 to July 13, presents a chance for him to prove he belongs on football’s biggest stages—and with Mahrez’s blessing and Silva’s support, the foundations for a smooth transition are firmly in place.
