Former Saudi international Mohammed Noor questions Riyad Mahrez’s impact in the Saudi Pro League

Despite Riyad Mahrez’s continued influence in Al Ahli SC’s Asian campaign, former Saudi international Mohammed Noor has publicly questioned the Algerian winger’s performances in the domestic league, accusing him of lacking initiative in crucial moments.

Mahrez delivered yet another decisive performance on Monday, registering an assist during Al Ahli’s emphatic 4-0 win over Yacine Brahimi’s Al Gharafa in the AFC Champions League group stage.

The defending champions dominated throughout, with Mahrez contributing to his team’s third goal — his third consecutive match with a direct goal involvement in the competition.

However, while his consistency on the continental stage has drawn praise, Noor — now a television pundit — voiced frustration with Mahrez’s displays in the Saudi Pro League, where he has recorded just two assists in six matches this season.

The former Al Ittihad captain claimed the Algerian international has failed to assert himself in tighter league contests.

“What does Riyad Mahrez do in matches apart from being good at crossing and set pieces? Noor said during a broadcast on a local sports channel. There are times when he does not even try to pass one-on-one the whole game. But once the situation settles down, you see that he plays more freely and distributes passes. After that, we want him to be decisive when the match is closed.”

Noor’s remarks have sparked debate among Saudi football followers, with some agreeing that Mahrez’s risk-taking on the ball has diminished, while others argue that his technical intelligence and creativity remain essential to Al Ahli’s attacking rhythm.

Mahrez was instrumental in guiding Al Ahli to their first-ever AFC Champions League title last season, contributing nine goals and eight assists in just 13 appearances.

His influence also extended to domestic success, where he played a vital role in the club’s Saudi Super Cup triumph — providing three assists across the semi-final and final, including against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr.

سلطان اللحياني: الأهلي ما زال قادر على المنافسة نقطيًا..

.. ومحمد نور: الفريق يملك أسماء محلية ممتازة جدًا@sultan0018#دورينا_غير#قناة_السعودية pic.twitter.com/YctHT3fI1J

— #دورينا_غير (@SBA_sport) October 20, 2025

Since joining Al Ahli from Manchester City, the 33-year-old has amassed 31 goals and 37 assists in 89 appearances, maintaining a level of productivity that few players in the Saudi top flight can match.

Even high-profile names such as Karim Benzema, who has 44 goals and 19 assists in 70 matches, trail Mahrez in overall goal contributions.

While Noor’s critique reflects growing expectations surrounding the Algerian captain, Mahrez’s record remains a testament to his enduring influence and consistency.

Whether he responds with renewed intensity in the league could determine how his season — and Al Ahli’s title ambitions — unfold in the months ahead.