Riyad Mahrez: Rais M’Bolhi played key role in Al-Shamal transfer

Rais M’Bolhi is reported to have helped Riyad Mahrez complete his imminent move to Al-Shamal, with the former Algeria goalkeeper handling the transfer negotiations.

Mahrez, the former Algeria captain, is on the verge of joining the Qatari club after leaving Al-Ahli. The 35-year-old winger has 119 caps and 40 goals for his country.

According to winwin, M’Bolhi managed the details of the proposed transfer, although no further information was provided about his involvement.

The pair have maintained a close relationship since working together in the Algeria national team between 2014 and 2024. Their time together included the country’s Africa Cup of Nations triumph in 2019.

M’Bolhi’s international career with Algeria ended after the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, which was described in the report as a failure for the team. The former Fennecs goalkeeper made 96 appearances for his country.

Mahrez heads to Qatar after Al-Ahli departure

Mahrez travelled to Qatar on Monday to finalise his move, according to Competition. He has been without a club for three months and could sign a one-year contract with Al-Shamal, with an option to extend the agreement.

Al-Ahli terminated Mahrez’s contract by mutual consent at the beginning of July, bringing an end to a three-year spell with the Saudi club.

His time at Al-Ahli ended with two Asian Champions League triumphs, in 2025 and 2026. Those victories were the first two in the competition in the history of the club.

Mahrez announced his retirement from international football to his former Algeria team-mates on 3 July, following a 2-0 defeat by Switzerland in the last 32 of the 2026 World Cup.

If his move to Al-Shamal is completed, Mahrez will reunite with another former Algeria international team-mate, Baghdad Bounedjah.

M’Bolhi, meanwhile, is preparing to begin a career in coaching. The former Stade Rennais goalkeeper’s most recent two appointments ended unsuccessfully, first at CR Belouizdad and then at ES Mostaganem.

He retired from playing at the end of February.