He broke the silence. The day after Algeria’s defeat (0-2) against Senegal in the quarter-finals of the African Football Cup of Nations, Riyad Mahrez spoke on his social networks.
The captain of the Fennecs said he was “disappointed by the elimination” but “proud of this team and this group, in the success as in the more difficult times”, in a publication on Instagram accompanied by three photos. The first of the team, another of him from the front and a last, in black and white, where he appears from behind and which seems to close a chapter.
“Thank you to our supporters and to all the Algerian people for your support throughout the competition,” continues the best passer (37 offerings) and second best scorer (37 goals) in Algerian history.
At 34 years old and with 111 caps under his belt, Mahrez has not announced that he is ending his international career. If he had announced before the quarter-final that he was playing his 6th and last CAN, he should be present this summer at the 2026 World Cup.
A competition that the former Liverpool player is already approaching with ambition. “We will come back stronger, as always,” promises the man who now wears the jersey of the Saudi club Al Ahli Saudi FC.
It remains to be seen whether coach Vladimir Petkovic, much criticized after the elimination of Algeria, will still be on the bench.
