Reports suggesting that Riyad Mahrez overstepped his authority during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and interfered in Algeria’s tactical decisions have been widely questioned, with little evidence to support claims of tension between the captain and head coach Vladimir Petkovic.
The allegations, relayed by the El Heddaf television programme, claimed that Mahrez exerted undue influence during the tournament, including during Algeria’s decisive defeat by Nigeria, which ended their AFCON campaign.
According to those reports, the situation may have prompted Petkovic to consider removing the captain’s armband from the Al-Ahli winger.
Rumours suggested that Mahrez advised the coach to introduce Zinedine Belaïd and Baghdad Bounedjah at half-time during the quarter-final against Nigeria, when Algeria were holding a 0-0 draw.
The advice was reportedly ignored and Algeria went on to lose 2-0. It was further alleged that this disagreement contributed to growing tension between player and coach.
However, those claims appear difficult to substantiate. Mahrez, who holds a central role within the national team, has consistently emphasised that sporting decisions rest solely with the head coach. During the tournament, he made it clear that Vladimir Petkovic remained fully in control of tactical choices.
As Algeria’s captain, Mahrez is one of the most influential figures in the team’s history. He is the second-highest scorer with 37 goals, the leading assist provider with 37 assists, and the second most-capped player with 111 appearances.
While this stature naturally places him in close dialogue with the coaching staff, it has not translated into decision-making authority.
That distinction was underlined during the round-of-16 victory over DR Congo, when a brief discussion between Mahrez and Petkovic preceded the introduction of Adil Boulbina, who scored the winning goal, and Ramiz Zerrouki, who provided the assist. Mahrez addressed the speculation directly after the match, stating:
“I didn’t influence his introduction; it was the coach’s decision. However, we need to help and guide the younger players.”
Against Nigeria, Algeria made no changes at half-time and conceded twice shortly after the restart before Mahrez, Zerrouki and Maza were substituted. No visible signs of conflict were observed on the pitch, and no images suggested discord, as noted by La Gazette du Fennec.
Petkovic himself has repeatedly highlighted Mahrez’s importance while affirming his own authority. Before the tournament, he said:
“There aren’t many players who are at the same level as Mahrez. I have to talk to him more because he’s the captain and he’s given so much for Algeria.”
With the 2026 World Cup approaching, the notion of an internal rupture appears unlikely. Rather than a revelation, the episode is increasingly viewed as an exaggerated reading of routine interactions in a high-pressure environment where every decision is closely examined.
