RIYAD MAHREZ: FROM PROMISING TALENT TO KEY FIGURE IN ALGERIA’S SQUAD
As Christian Gourcuff announced his 23-man squad for Algeria’s final 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) qualifiers, one name stood out as a symbol of consistency and growing influence—Riyad Mahrez. Once a newcomer under Vahid Halilhodžić just ahead of the 2014 World Cup, Mahrez now finds himself a vital part of the Fennecs’ setup, earning seven caps and gaining the trust of the coaching staff.
“I’ve always been sure of myself and my qualities,” Mahrez told Le Buteur. “At the World Cup, I knew things would be difficult at first, but deep down I believed I would eventually make my mark.”
Flourishing in the National Setup
Now a standout for Leicester City, Mahrez attributes his rapid adaptation to the welcoming atmosphere within the Algerian squad:
“Alhamdoulilah, everything has been going well for the past few matches. I’ve been well received, and the atmosphere in the team allows me to shine. We also have a lot of talented players, which makes our mission easier on the pitch.”
Qualifiers as a Springboard
Algeria have already secured qualification, but Mahrez sees the upcoming fixtures not as dead rubbers, but as an opportunity to refine the team’s game ahead of the tournament in January:
“These two matches will serve as preparation. Yes, we’ve qualified, but we want to finish strong. The objective remains the same—to win—even if the pressure is lower.”
CAN 2015: Bigger Than the World Cup?
Algeria made history in Brazil by reaching the round of 16 for the first time. But Mahrez believes the 2015 CAN, possibly hosted in Morocco, presents an even more meaningful challenge:
“We know we’re among the favorites. We can’t hide that. But the CAN is special—tougher than a World Cup in some ways. Every team starts on equal footing, but with the squad we have, we can go very far.”
As Algeria aim to conquer Africa, Mahrez’s blend of confidence, humility, and technical brilliance may be the key to delivering the trophy their golden generation craves.
