Riyad Mahrez of Algeria gestures during the CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025, Round of 16 soccer match between Algeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Rabat, Morocco, 06 January 2026. EPA/JALAL MORCHIDI
Tuesday Jan 13, 2026. 13:51
Algerian star Riyad Mahrez has played his last ever Africa Cup of Nations game.
The Fennecs’ captain stated before his side’s quarterfinal clash with Nigeria that this tournament would be his last.
In that moment, it felt more like a rallying cry – a driving force and motivation pushing his own personal success and that of his team, the mentality of giving everything because iot could be the last game.
“I want to win it again with this new generation, I really want this,” said Mahrez ahead of the last-eight clash.
However, as the 34-year-old exited the change room following Algeria’s 2-0 loss to the Super Eagles on Saturday, his words felt far more somber as the reality began to sink in.
In case there was any doubt, Mahrez confirmed his race was run.
“I confirm, this was my last competition, it’s over,” he told journalists in the mixed zone.
“It’s sad that it stops at the quarterfinal, as I would have liked to have gone further to try to win a second one.
“Our generation has already won one AFCON and it was incredible, but now we have to shake hands and move one.
“The new generation still has time, still has time [to win] the AFCON, and to try to bring home another star to our country. That’s what they need to do,” he said.
Mahrez is seldom placed in the same conversations as modern – still playing – legends like Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané. However, his resume in continental competition is enough to challenge any superstar from his era.
After a meteoric rise in Europe which saw him win the Premier League with Leicester City and earn a move to Manchester City, Mahrez was given the captain’s armband for the 2019 AFCON which was to be held on home soil. No pressure.
He led his side with determination, almost single handedly willing them over Nigeria in the semi-final with a fabulous free-kick at the death.
He became the second Algerian captain to lift the continental crown, an achievement enough to cement his place alongside African football’s greats.
For his heroics in 2019, Mahrez was awarded the CAF Men’s African Player of the Year.
Despite disappointing performances from Algeria on the continental stage in 2021 and 2023, 2019 will live long in the memory of the Fennecs’ fans.
Although his AFCON race is run, Mahrez has not hung up his boots yet, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup still to come.
When it is all said and done, Mahrez will be remembered as one of the very best of his generation, or any generation, of African footballers.
By Nic Gleeson