One of Algeria’s greats… Mahrez brings down the curtain on a legendary career

The Algerian star writes the last word

In a sad night for Algerian fans, Riyad Mahrez decided to double the agony after announcing his final retirement from international football in the early hours of Friday following their 2026 World Cup bye in a 2-0 defeat by Switzerland.

Mahrez (35 years old) came out in a somber tone, where he expressed his deep regret for being out of the World Cup, declaring that the match in Switzerland was his last for the Greens.

Mahrez’s decision has caused sadness among Algerian fans, considering what he has done for 12 years in the “Desert Warriors” shirt. He is definitely one of the greatest players ever.

Golden legend

Mahrez completed his international journey and occupies a unique place in Algerian football records when he became the second most capped player in the history of the Desert Warriors with 120 international caps, surpassed only by Issa Mandi with 123.

Read also… Officially… Mahrez ends international career after World Cup shock

He also finished his career on the national team’s all-time top scorer list with 40 goals, just six behind leader Islam Soleimani, figures that reflect the extent of his influence and continuity with the national team over many years.

Mahrez’s achievements are not limited to his performances inside the green rectangle, but rather extended to individual awards that have made him one of the most popular stars on the African continent, after being named Africa’s best player, in addition to winning the best Algerian player award twice, cementing his position as one of the greatest talents to leave one of the most popular players in Algerian history. national team.

Exclusive tournament and global return

Going back 7 years, we will remember one of the most outstanding historical moments in the history of the Algerian national team, when Mahrez was able to return the “greens” to the tribune.

We are talking about winning the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations title, which Algeria won with a clean sheet against Senegal on Egyptian soil.

But the exceptional and unforgettable moment was when Mahrez scored from a free-kick at the crucial time in the semi-final against Nigeria.

Read also… Farewell night… Mahrez sets historic World Cup record

Mahrez stunned everyone with a volley into the left corner of the Nigerian goalkeeper to seal Algeria’s place in the final and lift the title for the first time in 29 years.

Despite Algeria’s men’s string of failures, Mahrez was one of the most consistent stars of this generation and he continued with his country until they qualified for the 2026 World Cup.

Mahrez’s side failed to qualify for both 2018 and 2022, but the “Wizard of the Arabs” managed to lead his country to qualification in the current campaign and scored for the first time in the tournament when he netted twice against Austria in the last round.

Mahrez’s career with the Greens is a testament to the greatness of his legacy, which will remain etched in the minds of Arab football fans.

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