Riyad Mahrez has praised compatriot Rayan Aït Nouri’s high-profile move to Manchester City and reaffirmed his own commitment to Algeria’s ambitions ahead of their international friendly against Sweden in Stockholm.
Speaking at a press conference alongside national team head coach Vladimir Petkovic, Mahrez addressed recent developments involving Aït Nouri, who completed a transfer from Wolverhampton Wanderers to the reigning Premier League champions.
The former Manchester City star, now playing for Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia, welcomed the news but dismissed suggestions that he had played a role in facilitating the move.
“Of course, I am very happy for Rayan. He signed for the best club in the world, however, I have not spoken with Guardiola or anyone else about this transfer,” Mahrez said.
Aït Nouri’s transfer to City was finalised following a successful medical on Saturday.
The deal was officially announced earlier today by the Manchester club, marking a significant step in the 23-year-old’s career as he joins one of Europe’s elite teams.
While club transfers captured the headlines, Mahrez remained focused on Algeria’s immediate challenge—a friendly encounter against Sweden.
The match serves as a test for the team as they prepare for more demanding competitions in the coming months.
The veteran winger emphasised the importance of consistency and growth within the squad.
“The most important thing is to continue our good performances, but the result will tell us,” Mahrez explained. “We are a group of better qualities. The squad is constantly evolving. We have a good mix of youth and experience. The youngsters arrive with a good mentality and integrate naturally.”
As captain of the national side, Mahrez has long been a central figure in Algeria’s recent footballing resurgence.
With one Africa Cup of Nations title already under his belt, he remains determined to bring further glory to the national team.
“Winning another title with Algeria, of course I dream of it. But to do that, we have to give it our all. We have to do everything we can to get there. We have to take it match by match,” he said.
Mahrez left Manchester City in 2023 after five successful years, during which he lifted numerous trophies including the Premier League and Champions League.
His move to Al-Ahli in Jeddah marked a new chapter, but his focus on international success remains undiminished.
