Olympique de Marseille forward Amine Gouiri has ignited discussions by naming Riyad Mahrez as the greatest Algerian footballer of all time in a recent video shared on Ligue 1 McDonald’s social media platforms.
Gouiri participated in a series of head-to-head selections featuring prominent Algerian football legends.
The 23-year-old began by favouring Baghdad Bounedjah over Islam Slimani, before selecting Sofiane Feghouli ahead of Bounedjah.
He then chose Rabah Madjer over Feghouli but made a surprising decision by placing Mahrez above the esteemed Madjer.
The Marseille striker solidified his preference by choosing Mahrez over another Algerian icon, Lakhdar Belloumi, as well as revered players such as Karim Ziani and Youcef Belaïli.
The announcement underscores Mahrez’s influential role in modern Algerian football.
The Manchester City winger, who captained Algeria to victory at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, has been widely regarded as one of the most talented players of his generation.
Gouiri’s selection adds to the longstanding debate over Algeria’s greatest footballer, which often pits recent stars against past legends.
While many continue to champion the legacy of Madjer and Belloumi, Mahrez’s exploits on the international and club stage have cemented his status among the country’s finest players.
“Although the question of the best Algerian player in history remains an eternal debate opposing generations, the choice of Gouiri highlights the central place that Mahrez occupies in the collective imagination of Algerian football. A choice that will not fail to fuel discussions among football fans.”
Gouiri, who switched his international allegiance to Algeria in 2023, has quickly become one of the rising stars of Algerian football.
His endorsement of Mahrez further elevates the former Manchester City winger’s place in the national football narrative.
