Footballer Riyad Mahrez, subject of debate in Algeria

A missed penalty, an involvement in the first Algerian goal against Equatorial Guinea in Oran, Algeria, on September 5 (2-0), a fairly average general performance greeted by polite applause from part of the crowd at the Miloud-Hadefi stadium, then a withdrawal due to a knee injury for the trip to Liberia on September 10 (0-3).

After almost eight months of absence, footballer Riyad Mahrez made a mixed and briefer than expected return to the national team during the qualifications for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN), which takes place in Morocco from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026.

The last appearance of the Al-Ahli player in Saudi Arabia under the white jersey of the Fennecs dates back to January 23 and the defeat against Mauritania (0-1), during the first round of the CAN 2024, in Ivory Coast. The Algerian captain, a substitute at kick-off, was then particularly discreet during his forty-five minutes spent on the Bouaké pitch.

Absence during four meetings

The talented left-hander was then the target of much criticism from the press and supporters, some even wishing that he would retire from international football. Bosnian coach Vladimir Petkovic – successor to Djamel Belmadi – did not then call him up for the two friendly matches in March, against Bolivia (3-2) and South Africa (3-3), nor in June to face Guinea (1-2) and Uganda (2-1) in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

His absence during these four matches had obviously been the subject of many comments, the case of the 2019 African champion being always particularly observed in Algeria. His performances as much as his private life, as observed by Nasser Bouiche, former player of the Mouloudia Club of Algiers and the national team (42 selections): “We talked as much about his matches with Al-Ahli as about his recent marriage, his outings or his perfume advert. That’s the lot of stars. And despite his status, if his next matches with Algeria do not live up to expectations, some will not hesitate to question his presence in the national team. There will probably be no indulgence.”

The announcement of the former Manchester City striker’s selection for the matches against Equatorial Guinea and Liberia did not, however, spark any heated debate. “There was relatively little noise around his summoning, whereas there was a lot when he was not there. His summoning therefore seemed logical.”says Yazid Ouahib, head of the daily’s sports department The Watan. Walid Sadi, the president of the Algerian Football Federation, had announced in June that Vladimir Petkovic and Riyad Mahrez “were going to meet soon” in order to consider the continuation of the international career of the player trained at Le Havre.

“The main question is his motivation”

This finally took place and allowed the coach to be reassured about the motivation and fitness of the 33-year-old striker, after an Ivorian CAN where he appeared worn out. “Even if he no longer plays in one of the best championships in the world, he remains a very high-level player, experienced and a leader for the young players in the team. Algeria cannot do without such talent, one of the best footballers in its history.”sums up former international Billel Dziri (81 selections).

The current coach of the Union sportive de la médina d’Alger, however, does not give the winger any carte blanche for his future in the national team. “His qualities are one thing, but the main question is his motivation. What will happen when he has to go and play matches in sub-Saharan Africa, sometimes on difficult pitches, in very hot weather in the middle of the day?”he asks. It would have been possible to obtain a first element of an answer if the player had not declared forfeit for the match in Liberia. But Algeria will play in Togo in October and in Equatorial Guinea in November, and it is very likely that Vladimir Petkovic will call on him again for these trips.