Despite a promising start with Al Ahli in the Saudi Pro League, Riyad Mahrez’s current form has raised concerns, with his performances falling short of expectations. The Algerian winger, who scored 11 goals and provided 13 assists in 32 games last season, has not maintained the high standards he set during his years in Europe. This dip in form, evident in his lackluster showing at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) where Algeria exited in the group stage, has sparked debate about the reasons behind his recent struggles.
In a candid admission, Mahrez himself recognized the change in his performance level since moving to Saudi Arabia.
I’m not the player who can dribble past five or six opponents and make the difference on my own,” he said before Al Ahli’s AFC Champions League match.
I’m not the same player as at Manchester City.
But I’m here in a different environment, I’m trying to get back to the level of form I had there.
The 33-year-old’s shift to a lower-competition league has undeniably influenced his output and may have hindered his on-field prowess.
One of the primary factors impacting Mahrez’s form is the quality of the Saudi Pro League.
While the league has attracted several high-profile international players, its overall standard remains lower than Europe’s elite leagues.
Matches in the Saudi Pro League often lack the intensity and tactical rigor Mahrez encountered regularly in the Premier League and Champions League.
Playing in such an environment can dull a player’s competitive edge, especially one used to consistently challenging himself against the best.
With only 2 goals and 3 assists in 14 appearances this season, Mahrez’s numbers have reflected this adjustment, and his sharpness appears diminished in a less demanding competition.
Mahrez’s fitness and lifestyle choices have also come under scrutiny.
Observers have noted that he seems to have gained weight, which has affected his agility and speed—qualities that have long defined his playing style.
As a winger, Mahrez’s game depends heavily on his quickness, dribbling skills, and fluid movements in tight spaces.
The added weight has compromised his flexibility, limiting his ability to execute the bursts of pace and evasive maneuvers that once made him such a formidable presence on the pitch.
Ambition, or rather the apparent lack of it, has also been cited as a factor in Mahrez’s current performance.
Moving to Al Ahli has brought the 33-year-old Algerian financial security, with reports indicating he earns an impressive €35 million annually.
Given his glittering career achievements, including an AFCON title with Algeria in 2019, five Premier League titles, a Champions League title, two FA Cups, and three League Cups, Mahrez may find himself less motivated by sporting goals alone.
Having accomplished so much at both the club and international levels, his move to Saudi Arabia appears to be more about personal gain than chasing further silverware, a factor which can naturally temper his drive to push his physical and technical limits.
For Mahrez, transitioning from the intensity of Europe’s most demanding leagues to the Saudi Pro League has posed new challenges.
While his technical skill and experience remain invaluable, adapting to this new chapter requires a recalibration of his fitness, competitive mentality, and the intrinsic motivation that previously fueled his career highs.
With his talent and experience, Mahrez has the potential to reignite his form, but a renewed commitment to physical conditioning and an adjusted approach to the Saudi league’s unique dynamics will be essential.
Whether he can rediscover his best remains to be seen, but for now, the obstacles to regaining his top form highlight the complexities of a late-career move to a less competitive football environment.
