Riyad Mahrez is the most decorated Algerian football player in history. His trophy cabinet includes 18 trophies: five Premier League titles, one Champions League with Manchester City, one AFCON with Algeria, one Asian Champions League with Al-Ahli, plus dozens of English national cups. No Algerian footballer before him has achieved such a volume of titles at the highest level. He is also the second most capped player in the history of the Fennecs with 102 caps and 32 goals.
This article traces the major steps of his career, from Sarcelles to the European summits, through Leicester's historic achievement and the City years, up to his current role at Al-Ahli and his presence in the Algerian national team for the 2026 World Cup.
Mahrez's atypical beginnings, from Sarcelles to French Ligue 2
Riyad Mahrez was born on February 21, 1991 in Clichy, in the Hauts-de-Seine department, and grew up in Sarcelles, a suburb of Paris. His father, of Algerian origin, passed away when Riyad was 15 years old. This early bereavement shaped his determination. Trained at AAS Sarcelles, he was not scouted by major French academies. His talent went unnoticed by professional clubs for years, an anomaly that his subsequent career would make even more remarkable. For fans proudly wearing the Fennecs' colours, Sawa Football's personalised Algeria jersey collection offers exclusive designs inspired by the history of the Algerian national team, with free worldwide delivery.
Quimper, Le Havre, the first professional years
In 2009, Mahrez signed his first professional contract with Quimper Cornouaille FC, then in CFA. Only one season, 27 matches, 2 goals. Enough to convince Le Havre to sign him in 2010. He spent three seasons in Normandy, first in the reserves, before establishing himself in the first team of Ligue 2. It was there that English scouts began to look more closely at this left-footed dribbler with unusual technique.
The transfer to Leicester, a 500,000 euro gamble
In January 2014, Leicester City signed Mahrez for approximately 500,000 euros. The club was then in the Championship, the second tier of English football. No one at that moment could have foreseen what this transfer would lead to. Mahrez, however, knew he had found his chance. He wouldn't let it slip away.
Leicester City and the most improbable Premier League title in history
Leicester City's 2015-2016 season remains one of the most extraordinary stories in modern football. Rated 5000 to 1 by bookmakers at the start of the season, the Foxes won the Premier League title with a 10-point lead over Arsenal. Mahrez was the main architect, alongside Jamie Vardy.
The PFA African Player of the Year, a historic first
That season, Riyad Mahrez scored 17 goals and provided 11 assists in the Premier League. He was named PFA Player of the Year, the first African player in history to receive this award. He was included in the Team of the Season and won the African Player of the Year award. In a few months, the unknown from Quimper had become one of the most sought-after attacking midfielders in Europe. Arsenal, Roma, and several Spanish clubs tried to sign him. He stayed at Leicester for one more season before joining Manchester City in 2018.
Manchester City and the Guardiola years, the pinnacle of a career
In July 2018, Riyad Mahrez joined Manchester City for 68 million euros, setting a transfer record for an Algerian player. Pep Guardiola made him a right winger in his 4-3-3 formation, mainly used in important matches and rotations. In five seasons, Mahrez accumulated an exceptional list of honours.
Honours with Manchester City
- 4 Premier League titles: 2018-2019, 2020-2021, 2021-2022, 2022-2023
- 1 Champions League: 2022-2023
- 2 FA Cups: 2018-2019, 2022-2023
- 3 EFL Cups: 2018-2019, 2019-2020, 2020-2021
- 2 Community Shields: 2018-2019, 2019-2020
The 2023 Champions League, European triumph
The 2022-2023 season was a historic treble for Manchester City: Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League. In the Champions League final against Inter Milan in Istanbul, City won 1-0. Mahrez, 32 years old at the time, lifted the most prestigious trophy in European football. It was the trophy missing from his cabinet. A few weeks later, he left Manchester for Al-Ahli.
AFCON 2019 and captaincy with Algeria
With the Fennecs, Riyad Mahrez has represented Algeria since 2014. He was present at the World Cup in Brazil in the same year, where Algeria reached the round of 16 for the first time in its history. But his most memorable moment in the national team remains the AFCON 2019 in Egypt.
The decisive goal in the semi-final against Nigeria
In the semi-final of AFCON 2019, Algeria faced Nigeria. The score was nil-nil when Mahrez, in the 95th minute, converted a direct free-kick. This goal qualified Algeria for the final. The scene was viewed millions of times: Mahrez running to the corner of the pitch, teammates rushing from everywhere. Algeria then beat Senegal 1-0 in the final and won its second continental title.
National team records
At the time of his last cap in 2023, Mahrez had 102 caps with Algeria, tied with Islam Slimani for second all-time. He has a total of 32 goals and 42 assists with the Fennecs, making him one of the most decisive players in the history of the national team. His role as captain during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers was crucial: he notably scored a goal and provided an assist in the 3-0 victory against Somalia that sealed Algeria's qualification.
Al-Ahli and the Saudi Pro League, a growing list of honours
In July 2023, Riyad Mahrez joined Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia for 35 million euros, on a contract until 2027. Many commentators saw this departure as an early golden retirement. Subsequent events partially contradicted them.
The 2025 Asian Champions League
In 2024-2025, Al-Ahli won the AFC Champions League, Mahrez's second continental club title after the 2023 Champions League. The 2025-2026 season started well: he won the Saudi Super Cup and posted high-level statistics in the league with 4 goals and 7 assists during the season. At 35 years old, he remains a regular starter and one of the highest-rated players in the Saudi Pro League.
Mahrez and the 2026 World Cup, the last major event
The 2026 World Cup in Canada, the United States, and Mexico will likely be the last major international tournament of Mahrez's career with Algeria. Algeria has qualified, and Mahrez contributed to this qualification. At 35 years old at the time of the tournament, he will be the most experienced player in the squad, a symbol as well as a player. His presence at the World Cup will add an additional historical dimension to his career, having already participated in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Why is Mahrez the Algerian player of his generation?
Comparison with other great Algerian players of his generation illustrates the gap in terms of achievements. Islam Slimani, Andy Delort, Sofiane Feghouli, or Baghdad Bounedjah all had good careers, but none approached the level of collective and individual titles of Riyad Mahrez. Five Premier Leagues, one Champions League, one AFCON, one AFC Champions League, one Saudi Super Cup: his trophy cabinet is simply unparalleled in the history of Algerian football.
Individual distinctions
- PFA African Player of the Year: 2016
- African Player of the Year: 2016
- First African player to be named PFA Players' Player of the Year
- First Algerian to score a hat-trick in England (2015 against Swansea)
- Best dribbler in the Premier League
FAQ
What is Riyad Mahrez's full list of honours?
Riyad Mahrez has won 18 trophies: 5 Premier League (Leicester 2016, City 2019-2021-2022-2023), 1 Champions League (City 2023), 1 AFCON (Algeria 2019), 1 AFC Champions League (Al-Ahli 2025), 2 FA Cups, 3 EFL Cups, 2 Community Shields, 1 Championship (Leicester 2014), 1 Saudi Super Cup (Al-Ahli 2026).
How many goals has Riyad Mahrez scored for Algeria?
Riyad Mahrez has scored 32 goals in 102 caps for Algeria, making him one of the top three goalscorers in the history of the Fennecs, tied with Baghdad Bounedjah. He is also the second most capped player in the history of the Algerian national team, tied with Islam Slimani.
Why did Riyad Mahrez choose to play for Algeria rather than France?
Born in Clichy and raised in Sarcelles, Mahrez holds dual French-Algerian nationality. He chose to represent Algeria due to his attachment to his origins and the culture of his parents. His first cap for the Fennecs was in May 2014, before the World Cup in Brazil.
Will Riyad Mahrez play in the 2026 World Cup?
Yes, Mahrez participated in the qualifiers and Algeria has qualified for the 2026 World Cup. He will be part of the Algerian squad for this tournament. At 35 years old during the competition, it will most likely be his last World Cup, twelve years after his first participation in Brazil in 2014.
A career that changed everything for Algerian football
Before Riyad Mahrez, no Algerian footballer had reached this level of achievements and international recognition. His journey from Sarcelles to the Champions League paved the way for an entire generation of young players of Algerian descent in France, who see in him proof that it is possible to start from nothing and reach the top. The 2026 World Cup will be the last major chapter in a story that has already changed everything for Algerian football.
