The long-feared moment has arrived. A true leader of the Algerian national team, Mahrez will never again wear the Greens’ jersey. This comes after he made a statement at the end of the match against Switzerland: "That was my last match with the national team." said the Al-Ahli player. For 12 years, the Sarcelles native rose through the ranks with the Fennecs. In total, he made 119 appearances, scoring 40 goals and providing 45 assists. Let’s look back at the 5 key moments of the player with the national team.
May 10, 2014: his first cap with Algeria
A rising star at Leicester City, Riyad Mahrez was called up for the first time to the national team by Vahid Halilhodžić. On May 10, 2024, he played his first match against Armenia in a friendly. During this first appearance, he delivered two assists. A brilliant performance that earned him a place in the Greens’ squad for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
October 15, 2024: his first goal with the Fennecs
Riyad Mahrez waited 5 months before opening his goal tally with Algeria. The player scored his first goal against Malawi during a match counting for the 4th day of the 2015 AFCON qualifiers. At the Mustapha-Tchaker Stadium in Blida, the Fennecs won 3-0. Mahrez scored his team’s second goal in the 45th minute.
July 14, 2019: his memorable free-kick against Nigeria
This is one of Riyad Mahrez’s most important goals for the national team. On July 14, 2019, the captain sent the Fennecs to the 2019 AFCON final after a very tight game. At the Cairo International Stadium, the Algerian team prevailed (2-1) thanks to a superb free-kick scored by the Al-Ahli player in stoppage time.
July 19, 2019: winner of the 2019 AFCON
Algeria won the second Africa Cup of Nations in its history after 1990. At AFCON 2019, the Fennecs were exceptional with a top-level squad built by Djamel Belmadi. Riyad Mahrez, author of 3 goals in 7 matches, was influential in his country's ultimate victory.
On July 19, 2019 at the Cairo International Stadium, Riyad Mahrez and his teammates won AFCON 2019 after a narrow 1-0 victory over Senegal. The only goalscorer of the match was Baghdad Bounedjah in the 2nd minute.
March 21, 2025: 100 caps with Algeria
On March 21, 2025, Riyad Mahrez entered a very exclusive club in Algeria. Against Botswana in the 5th round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Group G, the former Manchester City player earned his 100th cap. He became the seventh Algerian player in history to reach this milestone.
Mahrez celebrated his 100th cap with a 3-1 win over Botswana away, at Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown.
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À propos de l'auteur
John ATTISSO
Rédacteur sportif
Journaliste et consultant, membre de l'AJST.