Riyad Mahrez

Riyad Karim Mahrez (born 21 February 1991) is a professional footballer who plays as a right winger. Born in France, he represented the Algeria national team. He is regarded as one of the best African players of all time. Mahrez began his career as a youth player for French club AAS Sarcelles. He turned professional in 2009 with Quimper, where he played for only one season before moving to Le Havre, spending a total of three years with them, initially playing for their reserve team and then becoming a first-team regular. In January 2014, Mahrez signed for English side Leicester City, helping them win the Championship and promotion to the Premier League at the end of his first season. In the 2015–16 season, he was the Algerian Footballer of the Year, the PFA Players' Player of the Year, and was a member of the Premier League PFA Team of the Year as he helped Leicester City win the Premier League. Mahrez signed for Manchester City in 2018, winning the Premier League, FA Cup and EFL Cup in his first season. He went on to win a further three league titles, one FA Cup, two EFL Cups and a UEFA Champions League in 2022–23 as part of a continental treble whilst at City. In July 2023, he joined Saudi side Al-Ahli, winning two AFC Champions League Elite titles and the Saudi Super Cup. Mahrez made his international debut for Algeria in 2014, representing the nation at the FIFA World Cup in 2014 and 2026 as well as the Africa Cup of Nations in 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023 and 2025, winning the 2019 tournament. In 2016, he was named CAF's African Footballer of the Year.