ROME (ITALPRESS) – Speaking to beIN Sports after Algeria’s 2-0 defeat to Switzerland in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32, Riyad Mahrez announced his retirement from international football.
The 35-year-old Al-Ahli winger finishes his international career as Algeria’s second-most capped player with 119 appearances, behind Aïssa Mandi (122), and the nation’s second-highest scorer with 40 goals, trailing only Islam Slimani’s 46.
“It was a match we could have won. We conceded two goals because of our own mistakes, and at this level you pay the price. We didn’t deserve to lose, but we conceded too many goals to realistically hope for a different outcome,” said the former Le Havre academy product, who rose to prominence with Leicester City before enjoying further success at Manchester City.
“This was my last appearance for the national team. It was my final match.”
Mahrez helped Algeria win the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, the Desert Foxes’ second continental title after their triumph in 1990. The tournament in 2026 was his second FIFA World Cup, following his first appearance in 2014, the same year he made his senior debut for the national team.
– Photo Ipa Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
