# Riyad Mahrez (رياض كريم محرز)
**Riyad Mahrez** (رياض كريم محرز) is an Algerian professional footballer who plays as a right winger, known for a left-footed, dribbling and set-piece game that carried him from French lower-league football to the 2015-16 Premier League title with Leicester City, four more Premier League titles and the 2022-23 Champions League with Manchester City, and back-to-back Asian titles with Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia.
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Position and foot | Right winger, left-footed, noted for dribbling, take-ons, crosses and free kicks[1](https://people.cs.kuleuven.be/~pieter.robberechts/repo/Robberechts2025_PhD.pdf) • [2](https://www.mancity.com/news/mens/riyad-mahrez-joins-al-ahli-manchester-city-63826097) |
| Leicester City (2014-2018) | 158 league appearances, 42 goals, 27 assists; key player in the 2015-16 Premier League title with 17 league goals and 11 assists[3](https://theanalyst.com/players/7590/riyad-mahrez/career) |
| Manchester City (2018-2023) | 236 appearances, 78 goals, 59 assists; major trophies including four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, three Carabao Cups and the Champions League[2](https://www.mancity.com/news/mens/riyad-mahrez-joins-al-ahli-manchester-city-63826097) |
| Al-Ahli (2023-2026) | 122 matches, 37 goals, 46 assists; AFC Champions League Elite winner in 2025 and 2026 and Saudi Super Cup winner in 2025[4](https://as.com/futbol/internacional/riyad-mahrez-se-despide-del-al-ahli-f202607-n/) • [5](https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Mercato-riyad-mahrez-quitte-al-ahli-un-peu-plus-de-24-heures-apres-avoir-pris-sa-retraite-internationale/1701332) |
| Algeria | Captain; helped Algeria reach the World Cup round of 16 for the first time in 2014 and win the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations; retired internationally in July 2026[6](https://www.cnnbrasil.com.br/esportes/futebol/futebol-internacional/para-sempre-na-memoria-dos-torcedores-al-ahli-anuncia-saida-de-mahrez/) • [7](https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/news/mahrez-bids-farewell-to-al-ahli) |
| Individual honor | African Footballer of the Year, 2016[4](https://as.com/futbol/internacional/riyad-mahrez-se-despide-del-al-ahli-f202607-n/) |
| Current club | Al Shamal, Qatar Stars League, joined as a free agent in October 2026[8](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/mahrez-joins-qatars-al-shamal-free-agent-6459406) |
## Early career and Le Havre
Mahrez began as a youth player at the French club AAS Sarcelles before joining [Le Havre](https://www.edgepedia.org/le-havre), where he appeared for the reserve side in National 1 from 2010 and for the first team in [Ligue 2](https://www.edgepedia.org/ligue-2) from 2011[9](https://africa.sis.gov.eg/media/20871/english-net-final-june.pdf) • [3](https://theanalyst.com/players/7590/riyad-mahrez/career). Over three Ligue 2 seasons he made 60 league appearances and scored 6 goals, and he added 24 goals in 60 appearances for Le Havre II in the fourth tier[3](https://theanalyst.com/players/7590/riyad-mahrez/career). He later described how the move that changed his career came about by accident: the [Leicester](https://www.edgepedia.org/leicester) scout had come to watch another player and, on seeing him, asked "who is this?"[10](https://cadenaser.com/nacional/2026/05/20/el-fichaje-frustrado-de-mahrez-por-el-real-madrid-y-el-barca-el-leicester-no-me-dejo-salir-cadena-ser/).
## Leicester City
Mahrez joined Leicester City in January 2014, in the middle of the Championship season that ended with promotion to the Premier League[11](https://www.11v11.com/players/riyad-mahrez-241798/) • [12](https://panafricafootball.com/article/riyad-mahrez-9). In his first half-season he made 19 Championship appearances and scored 3 goals[3](https://theanalyst.com/players/7590/riyad-mahrez/career).
The 2015-16 season made his reputation. Playing across 37 league matches and 3,057 minutes, he scored 17 goals, 4 of them penalties, and supplied 11 assists as Leicester won the first top-flight title in the club's history[3](https://theanalyst.com/players/7590/riyad-mahrez/career). He was named [African Footballer of the Year](https://www.edgepedia.org/african-footballer-of-the-year) in 2016[4](https://as.com/futbol/internacional/riyad-mahrez-se-despide-del-al-ahli-f202607-n/). A data analysis of his Leicester contribution found he affected matches most through valuable dribbles, take-ons, shots, and crosses[1](https://people.cs.kuleuven.be/~pieter.robberechts/repo/Robberechts2025_PhD.pdf).
He stayed at Leicester through the summer of 2018 despite offers, later saying that "Leicester didn't let me leave" when moves to Real Madrid and Barcelona were discussed[4](https://as.com/futbol/internacional/riyad-mahrez-se-despide-del-al-ahli-f202607-n/) • [10](https://cadenaser.com/nacional/2026/05/20/el-fichaje-frustrado-de-mahrez-por-el-real-madrid-y-el-barca-el-leicester-no-me-dejo-salir-cadena-ser/). In his final Leicester season, 2017-18, he scored 12 Premier League goals in 36 appearances[3](https://theanalyst.com/players/7590/riyad-mahrez/career).
## Manchester City
Manchester City signed Mahrez from Leicester on 11 July 2018 for a reported fee of 67.8 million euros[13](https://www.besoccer.com/player/transfers/r-mahrez-149354). He later recalled how [Pep Guardiola](https://www.edgepedia.org/pep-guardiola) persuaded him: "He came up to me and said: 'I would really like you to be with me, you are an incredible player and you would fit my style of play'"[10](https://cadenaser.com/nacional/2026/05/20/el-fichaje-frustrado-de-mahrez-por-el-real-madrid-y-el-barca-el-leicester-no-me-dejo-salir-cadena-ser/).
Across five seasons at the Etihad Stadium he made 236 appearances, scored 78 goals and assisted 59 more, winning 11 major trophies: four Premier League titles in five years, two FA Cups, three Carabao Cups, two Community Shields, and the Champions League in his final 2022-23 campaign as part of a Treble[2](https://www.mancity.com/news/mens/riyad-mahrez-joins-al-ahli-manchester-city-63826097). In league play alone he totaled 145 appearances, 43 goals and 34 assists[3](https://theanalyst.com/players/7590/riyad-mahrez/career).
**Consistent output.** He reached double figures for goals in all five of his City seasons, with a career-high 24 goals in 2021-22, and was voted Etihad Player of the Month seven times[2](https://www.mancity.com/news/mens/riyad-mahrez-joins-al-ahli-manchester-city-63826097). In the Champions League he made 46 appearances and scored 16 goals, an average of better than one goal every three games[2](https://www.mancity.com/news/mens/riyad-mahrez-joins-al-ahli-manchester-city-63826097). His last season included a hat-trick against Sheffield United in the [FA Cup](https://www.edgepedia.org/fa-cup) semi-final at Wembley in April 2023, making him the first Manchester City player to score a treble at the national stadium[2](https://www.mancity.com/news/mens/riyad-mahrez-joins-al-ahli-manchester-city-63826097).
## Al-Ahli
Mahrez left Manchester City for Al-Ahli Saudi Football Club in July 2023, with the transfer valued at 35 million euros[2](https://www.mancity.com/news/mens/riyad-mahrez-joins-al-ahli-manchester-city-63826097) • [13](https://www.besoccer.com/player/transfers/r-mahrez-149354). Over three seasons in Jeddah he played 122 matches and produced 37 goals and 46 assists[4](https://as.com/futbol/internacional/riyad-mahrez-se-despide-del-al-ahli-f202607-n/). In [Saudi Pro League](https://www.edgepedia.org/saudi-pro-league) play he made 90 appearances, scoring 23 goals with 31 assists[3](https://theanalyst.com/players/7590/riyad-mahrez/career).
His biggest prizes came in Asia. Al-Ahli won the AFC Champions League Elite in 2024-25 and again in 2025-26, back-to-back continental titles in which Mahrez contributed 9 goals in 13 matches in the first campaign and 4 goals in 11 in the second[14](https://en.alahlifc.sa/news/three-unforgettable-years-countless-magical-moments-a-legacy-that-will-forever-live-in-the-hearts-of-every-al-ahli-fan) • [3](https://theanalyst.com/players/7590/riyad-mahrez/career). He also won the Saudi Super Cup in 2025[5](https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Mercato-riyad-mahrez-quitte-al-ahli-un-peu-plus-de-24-heures-apres-avoir-pris-sa-retraite-internationale/1701332).
Al-Ahli announced his departure on 4 July 2026, terminating a contract that ran to 2027, a little more than 24 hours after he announced his international retirement[4](https://as.com/futbol/internacional/riyad-mahrez-se-despide-del-al-ahli-f202607-n/) • [5](https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Mercato-riyad-mahrez-quitte-al-ahli-un-peu-plus-de-24-heures-apres-avoir-pris-sa-retraite-internationale/1701332). The club then moved to replace him, signing the Portuguese winger [Francisco Trincão](https://www.edgepedia.org/francisco-trincao) from Sporting for a reported 45 million euros[15](https://as.com/futbol/internacional/arabia-saudi-sigue-pescando-en-europa-f202607-n/).
## Algeria
Mahrez captained [Algeria](https://www.edgepedia.org/algeria) and was part of the squad that helped the country reach the round of 16 of a World Cup for the first time in 2014, and of the team that won the 2019 [Africa Cup of Nations](https://www.edgepedia.org/africa-cup-of-nations), Algeria's first continental title in almost 30 years[6](https://www.cnnbrasil.com.br/esportes/futebol/futebol-internacional/para-sempre-na-memoria-dos-torcedores-al-ahli-anuncia-saida-de-mahrez/). His international standing made him a recurring subject of public debate at home: after the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations, where Algeria exited in the group stage and his last appearance for months was the 0-1 defeat to [Mauritania](https://www.edgepedia.org/mauritania) on 23 January 2024, he went nearly eight months without a call-up before returning in September 2024 qualifiers under coach Vladimir Petkovic[16](https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2024/09/12/le-footballeur-riyad-mahrez-sujet-de-debat-en-algerie_6315002_3212.html).
He announced his retirement from international football on 3 July 2026, the day after the elimination[5](https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Mercato-riyad-mahrez-quitte-al-ahli-un-peu-plus-de-24-heures-apres-avoir-pris-sa-retraite-internationale/1701332).
## Al Shamal and playing style
In October 2026, as a free agent at age 35, Mahrez joined Al Shamal of the [Qatar Stars League](https://www.edgepedia.org/qatar-stars-league)[8](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/mahrez-joins-qatars-al-shamal-free-agent-6459406).
His game is built on a left foot from the right wing. Analysts of his Leicester peak identified dribbles, take-ons, shots and crosses as his main contributions, and his City career featured memorable free kicks and volleys[1](https://people.cs.kuleuven.be/~pieter.robberechts/repo/Robberechts2025_PhD.pdf) • [2](https://www.mancity.com/news/mens/riyad-mahrez-joins-al-ahli-manchester-city-63826097). A study of player aging that benchmarks peak and post-peak performers lists Mahrez among the selected wide players in that group[17](https://research.manchester.ac.uk/files/280557883/FULL_TEXT.PDF).
## References
1. [Making Intangibles Actionable, P. Robberechts PhD thesis, KU Leuven](https://people.cs.kuleuven.be/~pieter.robberechts/repo/Robberechts2025_PhD.pdf)
2. [Mahrez joins Al-Ahli, Manchester City FC](https://www.mancity.com/news/mens/riyad-mahrez-joins-al-ahli-manchester-city-63826097)
3. [Riyad Mahrez Career History, Opta Analyst](https://theanalyst.com/players/7590/riyad-mahrez/career)
4. [Riyad Mahrez se despide del Al Ahli, AS](https://as.com/futbol/internacional/riyad-mahrez-se-despide-del-al-ahli-f202607-n/)
5. [Mercato : Riyad Mahrez quitte Al-Ahli, L'Équipe](https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Mercato-riyad-mahrez-quitte-al-ahli-un-peu-plus-de-24-heures-apres-avoir-pris-sa-retraite-internationale/1701332)
6. [Al-Ahli anuncia saída de Mahrez, CNN Brasil](https://www.cnnbrasil.com.br/esportes/futebol/futebol-internacional/para-sempre-na-memoria-dos-torcedores-al-ahli-anuncia-saida-de-mahrez/)
7. [Mahrez bids farewell to Al Ahli, AFC](https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/news/mahrez-bids-farewell-to-al-ahli)
8. [Mahrez joins Qatar's Al Shamal as a free agent, CNA](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/mahrez-joins-qatars-al-shamal-free-agent-6459406)
9. [RIYAD MAHREZ, State Information Service, Egypt](https://africa.sis.gov.eg/media/20871/english-net-final-june.pdf)
10. [El fichaje frustrado de Mahrez por el Real Madrid y el Barça, Cadena SER](https://cadenaser.com/nacional/2026/05/20/el-fichaje-frustrado-de-mahrez-por-el-real-madrid-y-el-barca-el-leicester-no-me-dejo-salir-cadena-ser/)
11. [Riyad Mahrez Football Player Statistics, 11v11](https://www.11v11.com/players/riyad-mahrez-241798/)
12. [Al Ahli confirm departure of Riyad Mahrez, Pan Africa Football](https://panafricafootball.com/article/riyad-mahrez-9)
13. [Riyad Mahrez's transfers history, BeSoccer](https://www.besoccer.com/player/transfers/r-mahrez-149354)
14. [Three unforgettable years, Al-Ahli FC](https://en.alahlifc.sa/news/three-unforgettable-years-countless-magical-moments-a-legacy-that-will-forever-live-in-the-hearts-of-every-al-ahli-fan)
15. [Arabia Saudí sigue pescando en Europa, AS](https://as.com/futbol/internacional/arabia-saudi-sigue-pescando-en-europa-f202607-n/)
16. [Le footballeur Riyad Mahrez, sujet de débat en Algérie, Le Monde](https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2024/09/12/le-footballeur-riyad-mahrez-sujet-de-debat-en-algerie_6315002_3212.html)
17. [Developing a decision-making framework for player recruitment, University of Manchester](https://research.manchester.ac.uk/files/280557883/FULL_TEXT.PDF)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Sports, games, and recreation › Association football › Football people and teams › People › Men's footballers of Africa › Maghreb footballers*
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