Riyad Mahrez has confirmed his retirement from international football after Algeria’s World Cup journey ended with a 2-0 defeat against Switzerland in the last 32.
The 35-year-old captain closes a remarkable 12-year spell with the national team, finishing as one of the greatest players in Algerian football history. Mahrez made 120 appearances for the Desert Foxes and scored 40 goals after choosing to represent Algeria in 2013.
His final match came in Vancouver, where Algeria’s hopes of reaching the next stage were ended by Switzerland. Following the defeat, Mahrez confirmed that he would no longer continue with the national side.
The winger leaves the international stage as Algeria’s second-highest appearance maker, behind only Aissa Mandi, who has 123 caps. He is also second in the country’s all-time scoring rankings, with only Islam Slimani’s 49 goals ahead of him.
Mahrez’s greatest moment with Algeria came in 2019 when he helped lead the team to Africa Cup of Nations success. He played a decisive role throughout the tournament, including a dramatic late free-kick in the semi-final against Nigeria, before Algeria overcame Senegal to secure their first AFCON title in 29 years.
His final World Cup campaign also proved to be his most productive. Mahrez contributed to three goals in four matches, scoring twice against Austria and assisting against Jordan. No Algerian player has ever recorded more goal involvements in a single World Cup tournament.
During the competition, he also became the second-oldest African footballer to start a World Cup knockout game, with only Senegal midfielder Idrissa Gueye achieving the milestone at an older age.
Born in France, Mahrez made his Algeria debut ahead of the 2014 World Cup and quickly became a key figure for the national team. He helped the country reach the knockout stages in Brazil and later joined a select group of Algerian players to pass 100 international caps.
After more than a decade as one of Algeria’s most influential players, Mahrez departs the international scene with a legacy built on consistency, leadership and historic achievements.