Riyad Mahrez
Who was Riyad Mahrez?
Professional footballer and winger for Manchester City who was instrumental in Algeria's 2019 Africa Cup of Nations victory.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Riyad Mahrez (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Riyad Karim Mahrez, born on February 21, 1991, in Clichy, France, has become one of the most notable African footballers of his time. He started his football journey as a youth player at French club AAS Sarcelles and went professional in 2009 with Quimper. After a brief stint there, he moved to Le Havre, where he spent three years and moved up to the first team, honing skills that would later earn him global recognition.
In January 2014, Mahrez joined Leicester City in England, changing both his career trajectory and the club's history. In his first season, he helped Leicester win the Championship and gain promotion to the Premier League. The next season was remarkable, with Mahrez playing a key role in Leicester City's surprise Premier League title win in 2015-16. His outstanding performances won him the PFA Players' Player of the Year award in 2016 and a spot in the Premier League PFA Team of the Year. He was also named Algerian Footballer of the Year.
Mahrez's success at Leicester caught the eye of top clubs, and in 2018 he joined Manchester City under Pep Guardiola. His first year at the Etihad Stadium was a triumph, as he contributed to City's domestic treble of the Premier League, FA Cup, and EFL Cup. Over five years with Manchester City, Mahrez collected a wealth of trophies, including five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, three EFL Cups, and the UEFA Champions League, being part of City's treble-winning 2022-23 season.
On the international front, Mahrez has been a key player for Algeria since his debut in 2014. He took part in the 2014 FIFA World Cup and several Africa Cup of Nations tournaments in 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025. His top international moment came in 2019 when he captained Algeria to win the Africa Cup of Nations, earning the National Order of Merit the same year. He was also named CAF's African Footballer of the Year in 2016. In July 2023, Mahrez moved to Saudi Arabia to play for Al-Ahli, where he continued to win, claiming the AFC Champions League Elite and the Saudi Super Cup.
Before Fame
Growing up in Clichy, a suburb northwest of Paris, Mahrez developed his football skills in the French youth system with AAS Sarcelles. He started his professional career modestly at Quimper in France's lower divisions before making a name for himself at Le Havre in Ligue 2. During this time, he improved his technical skills and speed as a winger. Few could have predicted the huge success that would follow his move to English football.
The early 2010s were a turning point for African players in European football, with more chances for talented individuals to shine on bigger stages. Mahrez's journey through the lower tiers of French football was typical of many promising players who need to prove themselves before getting opportunities at top levels.
Key Achievements
- PFA Players' Player of the Year 2016
- Premier League champion with Leicester City (2016) and Manchester City (2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023)
- UEFA Champions League winner with Manchester City (2023)
- Africa Cup of Nations winner with Algeria (2019)
- CAF African Footballer of the Year (2016)
Did You Know?
- 01.He won five consecutive Premier League titles with Manchester City between 2018 and 2023
- 02.Mahrez was part of Leicester City's 5000-1 odds Premier League triumph in 2016, one of the greatest upsets in sports history
- 03.He scored the winning penalty in Algeria's 2019 Africa Cup of Nations final against Senegal
- 04.Mahrez became the first Algerian player to win the UEFA Champions League when Manchester City triumphed in 2023
- 05.He represented Algeria at six different Africa Cup of Nations tournaments spanning over a decade
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| PFA Players' Player of the Year | 2016 | — |
| National Order of Merit | 2019 | — |