Riyad Mahrez

Riyad Mahrez is one of the greatest African players of his generation and the greatest icon of Algerian football. Born in Sarcelles, France, he chose to represent Algeria and starred in one of the most fascinating stories in modern football, transforming from an unknown player in the French second division into a Premier League and Champions League champion. His name went down in history as a key player in the Leicester City team that achieved the impossible Premier League title in 2015-16, considered one of the greatest sporting achievements of the 21st century. That extraordinary year, Mahrez was elected PFA Players' Player of the Year by his fellow professionals — the highest recognition in English football — and was also elected CAF Player of the Year. After his historic stint at Leicester, he was signed by Manchester City under Pep Guardiola in 2018 for £60 million. At City, he won four Premier League titles and the long-awaited Champions League in 2023, cementing his place among the greatest players in the world in his position. For Algeria, Mahrez won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2019, being named the tournament's best player. He ended his international career in 2023 as the greatest champion and one of the greatest goalscorers in the history of the Algerian national team.