Manchester City legend left in awe by striking resemblance to new Etihad Stadium star with three-word reaction

Riyad Mahrez has been left stunned by the Manchester City debut of Brazilian winger Savinho, as well as the striking resemblance to his own game.

The 21-year-old put in a hugely exciting individual showing during Manchester City’s Premier League opener against Chelsea on Sunday afternoon, offering attacking flair and further dynamism to Pep Guardiola’s attacking line-up.

Despite seeing his full Premier League debut cut short through a ‘disturbance’ in his knee, Savinho managed to create the most chances of any player on the Stamford Bridge pitch in just 45 minutes of action.

Many onlookers were quick to liken Savinho’s playing style and attributes to Manchester City’s former wide right-winger Riyad Mahrez, who also wore the number 26 shirt during his successful time at the Etihad Stadium.

In fact, Savinho will no doubt be left in awe himself this week, with the Algerian international taking to social media to approve of the Brazilian and the likeness between him and Manchester City’s newest attacking threat.

Posting on social media platform X, Riyad Mahrez stated, ‘Wait a minute’ accompanied by emojis indicating his stunned reaction to the striking resemblance between himself and his successor in the number 26 shirt for the club.

Savinho has been very open about his admiration for Riyad Mahrez, and how his career has largely been inspired by the playing style of the Algeria star, openly conversing on the subject upon joining Manchester City last month.

“Since I was little, my dream was also to get here at Manchester City (like Riyad Mahrez),” he told ManCity.com in his first interview with the club. “My friends always said that I looked a bit like him, but Mahrez is Mahrez, Sávio is Sávio.”

The 21-year-old continued after joining from City Group side Troyes, “I don’t want to create expectations for people, but I want to show my football – but I really like Mahrez and the way he plays football. 

“In this case, he is an inspiration here, that’s why I chose his number, and I am happy.”