Algerian star Riyad Mahrez brought down the curtain on his international career with the Algerian national team, announcing his retirement from international football following the “Desert Warriors” exit from the 2026 World Cup, following a loss to the Swiss national team with two unanswered goals in the round of 32.
Mahrez’s announcement came immediately after the end of the match, as he confirmed that facing Switzerland was his last in the Algerian national team’s shirt, expressing his gratitude. For all that he experienced during the years of representing his country, and wishing his teammates success in the future.
The captain of the Algerian national team said in his statements after the match: “The Switzerland match was my last with the Algerian national team, and I wish every success and success to my colleagues in the next stage.”
Mahrez also expressed his sadness after bidding farewell to the tournament, explaining that the national team committed some mistakes that the opponent took advantage of, pointing out that Such details are often the decisive factor in major matches on the world stage.
With this step, Mahrez turns an exceptional page in the history of Algerian football, after presenting a career full of achievements, the most prominent of which was leading his country to win the African Cup of Nations title in 2019, in addition to his great contribution to Algeria reaching the 2026 World Cup finals.
The “Greens” captain ends his international career after… He participated in 119 matches for the national team, leaving a lasting mark as one of the most prominent Algerian football stars and the second best scorer in the national team’s history.
Despite the end of his international journey, Mahrez’s career at the club level is still continuing, as he continues his career with Al-Ahly Saudi Arabia, at a time when speculation is increasing about his future and the possibility of experiencing a new experience during the upcoming transfer period.