After Algeria's resounding victory against Liberia (5-1) on the last day of the CAN 2025 qualifiers, Riyad Mahrez, scorer, spoke in the mixed zone.
The captain of Fennecs delivered statements imbued with humility: “I'm a team player, I don't think about the title of top scorer for the national team.” He also added: “The numbers don't matter much, what matters is the victory of the national team.” Strong words from the former Manchester City winger, often criticized in the selection, but who still retains the same motivation and the same ambition which made him a living legend of the Fennecs.
These comments also reflect the collective state of mind of the player, who recently put an end to a long period of scarcity. Indeed, Mahrez scored, in the 29th minute, his first goal in an official match since March 2023thanks to a perfectly adjusted head. This goal, which was also Algeria's second in this match, broke a series of 12 consecutive matches without scoring in official competition.
Coach Vladimir Petkovic maintained his confidence in his captain by starting him against Liberia, a choice which paid off. With this achievement, Mahrez brings his total to 32 goals in 98 appearances under the Algerian jersey.
During the match, Mahrez also stood out for his offensive activity and his leadership role. He set an example by contributing to the domination of Fennecswho largely secured their first place in Group E with 16 points out of 18.
These performances come at the right time for the Algerian captain, who is getting closer to the symbolic bar of 100 caps. With his collective vision and determination, Riyad Mahrez continues to prove that he is a pillar of the national team and a major asset for Algeria's next major events, whether in the African Cup or the World Cup. World.
DZfoot
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