Riyad Mahrez: The 2026 World Cup will be my last.. "I am not Ronaldo"

Algerian national team captain Riyad Mahrez announced that his participation in the 2026 World Cup will be his final chapter with the "Greens", affirming that he will put all his experience at the service of the team despite his advancing age, clearly stating: "I am not Ronaldo" in reference to the fact that his career will not extend long after the World Cup.

Mahrez, who will turn 35 next February, played a crucial role in Algeria's qualification for the World Cup after a 12-year absence, scoring one goal and assisting two in the victory over Somalia with a clean sheet of three goals. With this victory, the Algerian national team secured its fifth participation in World Cup history.

Mahrez added that his true happiness lies in seeing his teammates achieve the collective goal, praising the fans who have supported the team throughout the qualifying journey. He also emphasized that the focus will now shift to the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, considering that the team has enough ambition to continue shining.

During his international career, Mahrez has played over a hundred matches in the Algerian jersey, scoring 33 goals, making him one of the most prominent names in the history of Algerian football.