Riyad Mahrez

Riyad Mahrez

Riyad Mahrez (born 21 February 1991) is an Algerian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Manchester City in the Premier League and captains the Algeria national team. Considered one of the best African players of his generation, Mahrez is known for his dribbling skills, goalscoring prowess and ability to create chances for teammates.

Early Life and Career: Mahrez was born in Sarcelles, France, to Algerian parents. He began his football career with local club AAS Sarcelles before joining the youth academy of Quimper in 2009. In 2010, he signed his first professional contract with Le Havre, where he played for two seasons in the French Ligue 2.

Leicester City: In January 2014, Mahrez moved to Leicester City in the English Championship. He quickly became a key player for the Foxes, helping them win promotion to the Premier League in 2014. In the 2015–16 season, Mahrez had a stellar campaign, scoring 17 goals and providing 11 assists as Leicester won their first-ever Premier League title. He was named PFA Player of the Year and was also included in the PFA Team of the Year.

Manchester City: In July 2018, Mahrez joined Manchester City for a fee of £60 million. He has since become an integral part of Pep Guardiola's squad, helping the club win two Premier League titles, one FA Cup, and three League Cups. Mahrez has also been a regular member of Algeria's national team, captaining them to victory at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

Style of Play: Mahrez is a skillful and versatile winger who is known for his dribbling skills, passing ability, and goalscoring prowess. He is comfortable playing on either flank and has the ability to cut inside and create chances for himself and his teammates. Mahrez is also a dead-ball specialist and has scored some memorable free-kicks during his career.

International Career: Mahrez made his international debut for Algeria in 2014. He was a key player for the Desert Foxes as they won the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, their first continental title in 29 years. Mahrez was named Man of the Match in the final and was included in the CAF Team of the Tournament. He has since become captain of the Algerian national team.

Personal Life: Mahrez is married to Rita Johal, a British model, and they have two children together. He is a devout Muslim and is known for his charitable work. Mahrez is also a talented musician and has released several songs in his native Algerian dialect.

In conclusion, Riyad Mahrez is one of the most exciting and talented footballers in the world. With his dribbling skills, goalscoring prowess, and ability to create chances for teammates, Mahrez has become a key player for both Manchester City and the Algerian national team. He has achieved great success in his career so far, winning numerous titles and individual awards. As he continues to mature and improve, Mahrez has the potential to become one of the greatest African players of all time.