Mahrez wants glory at last AFCON with Algeria
Riyad Mahrez has confirmed that the current edition of the Africa Cup of Nations will be his last as he seeks continental glory again with Algeria.
The 34-year-old won the 2019 edition of the tournament, while he has scored nine goals and provided two assists in 23 appearances at the competition.
Mahrez has netted three goals in three appearances at the 2025 AFCON, averaging a goal every 70 minutes in this edition. This comes after not scoring a single goal across a combined 479 minutes played in the previous two editions (2021 and 2023).
Ahead of Algeria's quarter-final tie against Nigeria, Mahrez revealed that this would be his final continental quest.
“This will be my last AFCON,” Mahrez said.
“I want to win the Africa Cup of Nations again with this generation – I really want it.”
On Algeria's way to glory in 2019, Mahrez produced a moment of magic in their semi-final victory over upcoming opponent Nigeria.
With the game seemingly heading to extra-time, Mahrez found the top-left corner with a free-kick in the 95th minute to send Algeria to the final.
However, the former Manchester City winger anticipates a different match-up this time around.
“This match against Nigeria will be very different from the one in 2019. That was in Egypt, with different players, a different style of play, and a different journey,” he added.
“The current Nigerian team is better offensively than the one in 2019. There are a lot of talented players in this squad.
“We also have a very good team, and we’ll give everything to make our fans happy. It’s going to be a great match.”
