Riyad Mahrez will no longer play for either the Algerian national team or his employer, the Saudi Arabian professional club Al-Ahli.
These have been eventful days for Riyad Mahrez. On Friday, the 35-year-old attacking maestro and his home country of Algeria saw their World Cup dreams dashed in the Round of 32 with a 0-2 loss to Switzerland. Mahrez was well aware after the game that, given his age of 35, this was likely to be his final World Cup appearance. “Yes, that was my last game for the national team,” the winger announced after the match in Vancouver.
Against Switzerland, he said, “of course the goal was to advance. “We had the chance, but we conceded two goals due to mistakes—at this level, that’s punished immediately,” Mahrez said after his final appearance. Overall, he noted, the team “didn’t do badly in the tournament, but we conceded too many goals to have any hope.”
Even though Mahrez, with 119 international appearances, can no longer surpass Algeria’s record-holder Aissa Mandi (122), the right winger—born in Clichy, France—is undoubtedly one of the nation’s greatest soccer players. It was especially while wearing the Manchester City jersey that Mahrez rose to become an attacking player of international caliber, winning four English league titles and the Champions League with the Citizens. However, he made his breakthrough at Leicester as part of the team that sensationally won the English league title in 2015–16.
Farewell to Al-Ahli after “countless magical moments”
In the summer of 2023, Mahrez accepted a lucrative offer from the Saudi Arabian professional club Al-Ahli, for whom he recorded 87 points (37 goals and 50 assists) in 122 competitive matches over three seasons. However, he will not be making any further appearances. As his employer announced late Saturday evening German time, the attacking maestro will be leaving the club. “Three unforgettable years. Countless magical moments. A legacy that will live on forever in the hearts of every Al-Ahli fan,” the Saudis wrote in a warm farewell message.
It is not yet known whether Mahrez will continue his career, or if so, where.
