In a moment that has left African football fans heartbroken, Riyad Mahrez has confirmed the end of his incredible Africa Cup of Nations journey. The Algerian captain, one of the continent's greatest-ever talents, played his final match in the competition after Algeria's heartbreaking 2-0 quarter-final defeat to Nigeria in the 2025 AFCON.
The 34-year-old, who had hinted at this being his last tournament before the clash, accepted the outcome with class. "This is my final Africa Cup of Nations for sure," Mahrez said post-match. "I won't be playing another AFCON after six editions, more than 20 games. I am happy that I brought one big star for my country... football; sometimes you win, sometimes you lose."
Here are the staggering numbers that define his legendary AFCON career:
- 6 editions participated in
- 24 appearances
- 9 goals
- 2 assists
- 1 time champion (2019 – where he captained Algeria to glory, scoring the iconic extra-time free-kick winner against Nigeria in the semi-final)
These stats make him Algeria's all-time top scorer in the Africa Cup of Nations finals, surpassing legends like Lakhdar Belloumi. On the continental stage, his tally places him 16th among the all-time leading scorers in AFCON history.
Mahrez's crowning achievement came in 2019, when he led the Desert Foxes to their second continental title – their first since 1990. His moment of magic, that late free-kick against Nigeria, remains one of the most unforgettable in tournament lore.
Here are some iconic moments from his triumphant 2019 campaign:
Mahrez's flair, leadership, and consistency made him indispensable for Algeria across multiple tournaments, even as he balanced club success with Leicester City, Manchester City (where he won multiple Premier Leagues and the Champions League), and now Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia.
In the 2025 edition, he showed flashes of brilliance, scoring three goals in the group stage to become Algeria's record scorer in the finals – but the dream of a second title ended against a strong Nigeria side.
Here he is in action during recent AFCON matches:
As Mahrez steps away from AFCON, he leaves behind a legacy of excellence, pride for Algeria, and inspiration for the next generation. The man who turned dreams into reality on the biggest African stage will forever be remembered as a true legend of African football.
What are your favorite Mahrez moments? Drop them in the comments – this is the end of an era!