Al-Ahli Saudi star and Algerian national team captain, Riyad Mahrez , continued to write new chapters in history with the "Desert Warriors" in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. This came after he led the "Greens" to a valuable and difficult victory over Burkina Faso with a clean goal, which he scored brilliantly from a penalty kick, in the match that took place yesterday (Sunday) as part of the second round of the group stage of the continental tournament.
A strong start and exceptional performance
Mahrez's brilliance in this edition was no fluke. He began his continental campaign with a remarkable performance, scoring two crucial goals that contributed to Algeria's resounding 3-0 victory over Sudan in the opening round. This strong showing confirms the Algerian star's readiness to lead his country in serious contention for the continental title, reminiscent of their historic triumph in the 2019 edition in Egypt.
Mahrez equals the legend of Rabah Madjer
With his latest appearance, Riyad Mahrez equaled the record held by Algerian football legend Rabah Madjer for the most appearances by an Algerian player in the Africa Cup of Nations finals, with 22 matches each. Rabah Madjer, the man with the golden heel and winner of the 1990 title, is considered one of the most prominent figures in the history of African football, making Mahrez's achievement a truly remarkable feat.
It wasn't just about the number of matches; Mahrez also equaled Madjer in the number of goal contributions throughout the history of the Algerian national team's participation in the Africa Cup of Nations, with 11 goal contributions each, highlighting the pivotal role that Mahrez has played in the Greens' attacking system over the past years.
Bypassing Tasfawt and pursuing Soleimani
In terms of the national team's all-time top scorers, Mahrez reached his 37th international goal for his country. With this tally, he broke the tie with former star Abdelhafid Tasfaout, securing second place on Algeria's all-time scoring list. Mahrez now has his sights set on the top spot, trailing only Islam Slimani, the all-time leading scorer with 46 goals.
The importance of the event and its impact on the national team
These figures take on particular significance as the Algerian national team seeks to reclaim its African prestige after previous setbacks. The presence of a leader of Riyad Mahrez's caliber, boasting extensive international experience gained from playing at the highest levels with Manchester City and Leicester City, and now with Al-Ahli Saudi FC, instills a great deal of confidence in the team. Breaking these records is not merely an individual achievement, but a morale booster for the entire squad as they continue their journey in the tournament and compete for their third star.
