CAF Pays Tribute to Mahrez After International Retirement
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has sent a heartfelt message to Riyad Mahrez after the Algerian captain officially announced his retirement from international football. The 34-year-old winger confirmed his decision following Algeria's 2-0 loss to Switzerland in the Round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, ending his 12-year tenure with the Desert Foxes.
Mahrez had previously stated during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) that the 2026 World Cup would be his final tournament for Algeria. True to his word, he bowed out after the defeat, telling Bein Sport: "It's my last appearance even with the national team. It was my last game."
Algeria's World Cup Campaign Ends in Round of 32
Algeria's return to the World Cup after a 12-year absence saw them advance from a group containing Argentina, Austria, and Jordan. However, their journey ended in the knockout stage with a 2-0 defeat to Switzerland. Despite the loss, CAF praised Algeria's bravery and attacking style, noting they "stuck to their attacking style of play until the final whistle."
Mahrez reflected on the match, telling FIFA: "Our aim was to go through, and I think it was a game we could have won. But we conceded twice on mistakes and at this level, you can't get away with it." He added: "There are always positives to take away from matches: we did manage to get out of the group stage, but we conceded too many goals to aspire to more."
Mahrez's Legacy as One of Africa's Greatest
CAF shared two posts on their official X page appreciating Mahrez for his contributions to Algerian and African football. The winger is best remembered for leading Algeria to the 2019 AFCON title, including a famous free-kick goal against Nigeria in the semi-final. Over 120 appearances for Les Fennecs, he scored 40 goals, ranking second on Algeria's all-time lists for both caps and goals.
Mahrez's club career includes a successful stint at Manchester City, where he won multiple Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League, before moving to Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia. His retirement marks the end of an era for African football, with CAF acknowledging him as "one of the greatest African players of all time."
Context: Ronaldo Also Nearing International Retirement
In related news, Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly set to retire from international football after the 2026 World Cup, according to his sister Katia Aveiro. The 41-year-old Portugal star has not confirmed the claim, but speculation continues as the tournament progresses.
