PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Riyad Mahrez |
| Date of Birth | 21/02/1991 (Age: 35) |
| Place of Birth | Sarcelles, France |
| Nationality | Algerian |
| Height | 1.79 m / 5 ft 10 in |
| Weight | 67 kg |
| Position | Right Winger / Forward |
| Preferred Foot | Left |
| Squad Number | #7 |
| Current Club | Al-Ahli |
| Previous Clubs | Le Havre, Leicester City, Manchester City |
| International Caps | 120 |
| International Goals | 40 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2014, 2026 |
| Contract Until | 2027 |
| Market Value | €5.1M |
The Frozen Moment
The free-kick curled over the wall, dipped at the last moment, and nestled perfectly into the corner of the net. It was the 95th minute of a chaotic 3-3 draw with Austria. Algeria were on the brink of elimination. Then, Riyad Mahrez did what he had done so many times before—he delivered.
“I was 23, I was young. I’m 35 now, and a lot of water has passed under the bridge,” the Fennecs captain told FIFA. In those twelve years, Mahrez had gone from a quiet kid from Le Havre who “came into the national team set-up quietly, trying to keep a low profile” to the undisputed leader of his country.
His decisive double against Austria propelled Algeria into the knockout stage for only the second time in their history. He had pulled level with Salah Assad, Abdelmoumene Djabou and Islam Slimani as Algeria’s all-time top scorer at the World Cup. But the dream would end six days later, with a 2-0 defeat to Switzerland in the Round of 32.
“It’s my last appearance even with the national team,” Mahrez said after the final whistle. “It was my last game.”
For the boy from Sarcelles who chose Algeria over France, who rose from a £400,000 unknown to a Premier League champion, who captained his country to Africa Cup of Nations glory and became the nation’s second-most capped player, the curtain had fallen on a remarkable international career.
Origins: The Late Bloomer from Sarcelles
Riyad Mahrez was born on February 21, 1991, in Sarcelles, a suburb of Paris, to Algerian parents. His football journey was humble. He began at a local club in Sarcelles before joining Le Havre’s academy in 2009. He made his professional debut in the 2010-11 season, making seven appearances in Ligue 2.
His early career was one of quiet development. By 2013, he had made 21 appearances for Le Havre, scoring four goals. But it was his move to Leicester City in 2014, for a fee of just £400,000, that would change everything.
The European Forge: From Champions to Champions League Winners
Leicester City (2014-2018)
Mahrez’s rise at Leicester was nothing short of miraculous. In the 2015-16 season, he was the creative heartbeat of the most unlikely Premier League title win in history. He scored 17 goals and provided 11 assists in 37 appearances, winning the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award.
Over four seasons at Leicester, he made 179 appearances, scored 47 goals, and provided 38 assists in all competitions. He had become one of the most dangerous wingers in England.
Manchester City (2018-2023)
On July 9, 2018, Manchester City broke their transfer record to sign Mahrez for £60 million. At the time, he said City’s style of play was “perfect” for him. The success that followed was phenomenal.
Despite starting just 14 league games in his opening campaign, Mahrez fought for his place and never dropped below 27 Premier League appearances in each of his five seasons at the club. He won four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, three League Cups, and the Champions League. He scored 78 goals and registered 59 assists across 236 appearances in all competitions.
Pep Guardiola described him perfectly: “He is one of the guys in my career who I saw who enjoyed the most. Incredible skills and technical ability. I enjoyed as a manager to be with him. I had a special relationship with him.”
Al-Ahli (2023-Present)
In 2023, Mahrez left City for Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia. In the 2025-26 season, he made 27 appearances, scoring 4 goals and providing 8 assists. He remains a key figure for the Saudi club.
The Anatomy of His Game
Mahrez is a player defined by his dribbling, creativity, and composure. His signature style—the silky, slaloming dribbling, the cultured left foot, the feathery first touch—made him a fan favourite wherever he played.
In Possession
Mahrez’s dribbling and creativity were his greatest assets. At Manchester City, he recorded 59 assists in 236 appearances. At Leicester, he provided 38 assists in 179 appearances. He scored 17 goals in the 2015-16 title-winning season.
In the 2025-26 World Cup, he registered three goal involvements in four matches—scoring twice against Austria and providing an assist against Jordan. No Algerian player had ever recorded more in a single edition of the tournament.
Out of Possession
His defensive contributions were less pronounced, but his work rate improved significantly under Guardiola. He was a player who could be trusted to press and track back.
Psychological Edge
What set Mahrez apart was his composure. He scored the decisive free-kick in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against Nigeria, sending Algeria to the final. He scored crucial goals for Manchester City in title deciders. He was the player who delivered when it mattered most.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: International Record (as of 2026)
| Category | Total |
|---|---|
| Senior Caps | 120 |
| Senior Goals | 40 |
| Africa Cup of Nations | 2019 (Winner) |
| World Cup Appearances | 2014, 2026 |
| World Cup Goals | 2 (vs Austria, 2026) |
TABLE B: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season)
| Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saudi Pro League | 27 | 4 | 8 | — |
| World Cup | 4 | 2 | 1 | — |
| Total | 59 | 12 | 20 | — |
TABLE C: Career Overview
| Period | Club | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-2018 | Leicester City | 179 | 47 | 38 |
| 2018-2023 | Manchester City | 236 | 78 | 59 |
| 2023-Present | Al-Ahli | — | — | — |
| Total | — | 648 | 189 | 146 |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Premier League Winner | Leicester City, PFA Player of the Year |
| 2019 | Africa Cup of Nations Winner | Captained Algeria to victory |
| 2019 | FA Cup Winner | Manchester City |
| 2020-23 | Premier League Winner | Four titles with Manchester City |
| 2023 | Champions League Winner | Manchester City |
| 2026 | World Cup Campaign | Scored twice, best Algerian individual tournament |
What These Figures Reveal
The statistics paint a portrait of a player who achieved extraordinary success through relentless improvement. Mahrez went from a £400,000 unknown to a Premier League champion, a Champions League winner, and Algeria’s second-most capped player with 120 international appearances and 40 goals.
His 2026 World Cup campaign was his finest, with three goal involvements in four matches—more than any Algerian player in a single edition. He became the second-oldest African player to start a World Cup knockout match.
His 648 career appearances, 189 goals, and 146 assists across all competitions are a testament to his enduring quality.
The Present Tense
The 2026 World Cup was Mahrez’s second, and final, appearance on the global stage. He was selected in Algeria’s 26-man squad and played a crucial role in their qualification for the knockout stage. His double against Austria was the highlight of Algeria’s campaign.
Following Algeria’s 2-0 defeat to Switzerland in the Round of 32, Mahrez confirmed his retirement from international football.
“It’s my last appearance even with the national team. It was my last game,” he told reporters.
He finishes his Algeria career as the country’s second-most capped player, behind only Aïssa Mandi’s 123 appearances, and second on the all-time scoring list with 40 goals, trailing only Islam Slimani’s 49.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Mahrez is known for his humility and his commitment to Algeria. Despite being born in France, he chose to represent his parents’ homeland in 2013. He was a natural leader, guiding a new generation of Algerian players.
“When I came into the national team set-up, I came quietly, trying to keep a low profile,” he recalled. By the end, he was the captain, the talisman, the player who carried his country’s hopes.
The Verdict from the Camp
Pep Guardiola, former Manchester City manager:
“He is one of the guys in my career who I saw who enjoyed the most. Incredible skills and technical ability. I enjoyed as a manager to be with him. I had a special relationship with him.”
Riyad Mahrez, on his international retirement:
“It’s my last appearance even with the national team. It was my last game.”
Riyad Mahrez, on his World Cup campaign:
“Even though progression was the most important thing, in the back of my mind I also had that personal goal of getting on the scoresheet.”
Where Next?
Riyad Mahrez is 35 years old and has achieved everything in the game. He has won the Premier League, the Champions League, the Africa Cup of Nations, and has represented Algeria at two World Cups. He is the second-most capped player in Algerian history and the second-highest goalscorer.
Club Outlook
He remains under contract at Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia until 2027. He will continue to play for the Saudi club, where he has established himself as a key figure. His performances in the 2025-26 season—27 appearances, 4 goals, 8 assists—demonstrate that he still has plenty to offer.
International Outlook
His international career is over. He has retired from Algeria duty, ending a 12-year career that saw him earn 120 caps and score 40 goals. He leaves behind a legacy as one of the greatest players in Algerian history.
The Legacy
From Sarcelles to Leicester, from Manchester to Saudi Arabia, from the Africa Cup of Nations to the World Cup, Riyad Mahrez’s journey is a story of talent, hard work, and extraordinary achievement. The boy who was signed for £400,000 became a Premier League champion, a Champions League winner, and the captain of his country. His legacy is secure.
