Manchester City defender Rayan Ait-Nouri spoke about personal frustration, team triumph and how happy he is going into the season
Manchester City's defender Rayan Ait-Nouri runs with the ball during the Asahi Super Dry Trophy football match between Manchester City and Inter Milan at Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong on August 1, 2026. (Photo by May JAMES / AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester City's defender Rayan Ait-Nouri runs with the ball during the Asahi Super Dry Trophy football match between Manchester City and Inter Milan at Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong on August 1, 2026. (Photo by May JAMES / AFP via Getty Images)
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Rayan Ait-Nouri is excited to show more of himself at Manchester City next season after being frustrated with his first year at the Etihad. The Algerian signed from Wolves last summer and started 19 games for the Blues but missed a chunk of the campaign with an injury picked up in August and also struggled to dislodge Nico O'Reilly from the left-back spot.
Like his Algeria teammate Riyad Mahrez, who he has just enjoyed the World Cup with, Ait-Nouri is a passionate footballer who struggles to fully enjoy himself when he is not contributing on the pitch. However, he still played his part in a season that brought two trophies and any disappointment at not playing more has been channelled into motivation for this season.
"I was not very happy because I can give more," he said. "It was tough because in the beginning I was injured and after I tried to come back and I tried to give everything for this team and for this shirt.
"The most important is the team. Last year we won two cups and it was also a very good experience and we trained with this coach. It was amazing for me and for the team and I'm very happy to be part of this team."
Nearly half of Ait-Nouri's starts last season came in a run of nine consecutive games between January and March, and included pivotal wins at Anfield, St James' Park and Elland Road. He was also picked to start at the Bernabeu for the first leg of City's last-16 tie with Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Having shown then what he can do, Ait-Nouri is excited to give more of himself with new manager Enzo Maresca as he looks to start off this season without any setbacks. With a smile on his face in Hong Kong, the left-back detailed how much he is enjoying being back in the City camp.
"The training sessions look very good, I really enjoy to train with this manager and we will see what happens. I'm very happy to be here," he said.
"I'm very confident, I want to show everyone what I can do on the pitch. I showed before, I will show this season I hope and I'm very, very excited to start the season and to be here. I'm very happy."