The lifestyle of WAGs such as the wife of Riyad Mahrez in Saudi Arabia is indeed akin to a scene of purgatory amidst the mortal realm, where they are compelled to dress modestly like nuns, adhere to strict dietary restrictions akin to prisoners, and endure solitude akin to a tree in the desert. For them, the question of what to do with abundance becomes inconsequential. What purpose does wealth serve when one cannot enjoy the freedom of attire or indulge in libations?
The Amazon Prime documentary titled “Married to the Game” has been released with the aim of providing an in-depth perspective on the real lives of football WAGs, prominently featuring the tumultuous journey of Taylor Ward, the wife of attacking midfielder Riyad Mahrez.
Mahrez departed Manchester City during the summer transfer window of 2023 to join Al Ahli on a five-year contract. Despite a substantial influx of wealth into their accounts, Ward couldn’t hold back tears upon realizing she would have to pack her bags, carry her belongings, and relocate to the Middle East promptly.
Mahrez’s weekly salary of £750,000, five times what he received at Manchester City, did little to alleviate Ward’s emotional distress. The six-part documentary series showcases the challenges of life in the desert for stars accustomed to lavish parties and nightly revelry.
From leaving behind their life in Manchester to regularly returning to plan their wedding, the series provides a behind-the-scenes look at Ward’s departure, which she describes as “a rollercoaster ride of emotions.”
Scenes depicting the transition from England to Saudi Arabia highlight the cultural differences, with Ward visibly perturbed as she sips on a Diet Coke while the couple discusses wedding ring shopping in Jeddah before their wedding.
In the fourth episode of the series, viewers witness Ward attending one of Mahrez’s matches in Saudi Arabia, seated alone in a private VIP section. “I admire Riyad Mahrez, not football,” she remarks, explaining that she won’t continue watching football once her husband retires from the sport.
Mahrez adds, “My wife watches nothing, just sits there playing on her phone.” To which Ward retorts, “Yes, that’s me, but don’t you see that I still sit and watch when you score and run off to celebrate? Not watching would leave me wondering what to do here, with no family or friends around.”
Despite praising the warm reception of the country, Taylor admits to feeling entirely alone without Mahrez, living far from her close-knit family and lifelong friends. The 26-year-old beauty expresses loneliness watching her husband play, a far cry from her experiences at the Etihad.
“At Manchester City, we also had our own VIP section, for his friends, my friends, or anyone who wanted to come watch Riyad play. Here, it’s just me. I guess I should get used to it because I have no one here. All my friends are from primary and secondary school. I really don’t need to make new friends since then, it’s insane. It’s insane that I have to start trying to make new friends.”
Loneliness isn’t the only hardship Ward has had to endure. She’s had to accept moving to Saudi Arabia, a country with a culture vastly different from England’s. Women are expected to dress modestly, covering their bodies as much as possible, which sharply contrasts with Ward’s usual style.
“I have my Arab outfits here,” Ward says while perusing her wardrobe. “This is the Saudi style. Flowy long dresses that cover everything. Wear this and you blend right in with a similar crowd. My blonde hair requires a lot of hiding under scarves.
I definitely won’t get to wear these outfits,” she points to some more revealing clothes. “They scrutinize everything. This dress is modest but can’t be worn because it has sheer parts. Oh my god, dressing here always makes me feel frustrated and suffocated.”
Nevertheless, everything is still okay for now. I just want to ensure that we also respect them. The culture is very different, so I think it’s important to take the time to learn and show respect. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”
Growing up in Manchester, Ward essentially lived there for over 25 years before moving to the Middle East. She reveals that her greatest fear in their relationship is having to relocate, a significant concern for some WAGs depicted in the series.
Mahrez defends, “That’s part of being a footballer. I’ve told Riyad from the start that what I fear most is him going abroad. I’ve always lived in Manchester, never had to go far anywhere, but my biggest fear is having to move to a new country, make new friends, and be away from family.
I’ve never had to be away from my older sister Darby like this. I’ve never had to move elsewhere and still run a business,” she tears up at the mention of her sister. “If someone told me five years ago that I would move to Saudi Arabia with my husband and a child, I wouldn’t have believed them. I never imagined my life anywhere other than Manchester.”