Riyad Mahrez’s enduring brilliance earns him a place among 2025 Golden Fennec finalists

At 34, Riyad Mahrez continues to defy time and expectation.

His nomination for the 2025 Fennec d’Or is far from a sentimental gesture — it is a recognition of a season defined by quality, consistency, and influence at both club and national level.

While debate continues around his current impact with the Algerian national team, Mahrez’s performances for Al Ahli Saudi FC have left little room for doubt.

The winger’s contribution was instrumental in his club’s triumph in the 2025 AFC Champions League, where his creativity and leadership proved decisive.

In 13 matches in the continental competition, Mahrez registered an astonishing nine goals and eight assists — numbers unmatched by any other player in the tournament’s history.

Across all competitions, he has scored 17 goals and delivered 19 assists in 45 appearances, a remarkable return for a wide player who no longer takes penalties following the arrival of Ivan Toney in Jeddah.

Despite playing fewer minutes for the national team, the former Manchester City star remains central to Algeria’s footballing identity.

As captain, Mahrez leads a squad preparing for two major tournaments: the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco (21 December – 18 January) and the 2026 World Cup. He recently hinted that these competitions could mark his final appearances for the Desert Foxes, symbolising the closing chapter of a distinguished international career.

His contract with Al Ahli runs until June 2027, and his success there stands in sharp contrast to his current form with Algeria, where he has managed two goals and four assists in 13 matches since September 2024.

Still, those numbers tell only part of the story.

During that same period, Mahrez reached the century mark in international caps, further solidifying his place among Algeria’s all-time greats.

With 33 international goals, he now sits just one behind the nation’s top three scorers, led by Baghdad Bounedjah (34).

His 38 assists also make him the most prolific provider in the team’s modern era.

Including Mahrez among the final five nominees for the 2025 Fennec d’Or is a tribute not only to his enduring excellence but to a legacy built on leadership, artistry, and relentless professionalism.

Whether or not this year brings him another individual honour, Mahrez’s influence — both on the pitch and as a symbol of Algerian football — remains profound and undeniable.