Riyad Mahrez

Background

Riyad Mahrez is an Algerian professional footballer who plays for Manchester City and the Algerian national team. He was born on 21st February, 1991 in Sarcelles, France. However, he decided to turn out for Algeria on the international stage instead of the nation of his birth.

Career

Mahrez started off his career as a youth player for AAS Sarcelles. He turned a professional with Quimper in 2009 and moved to Le Havre a year later. In January 2014, he was transferred to Leicester City in the English Premier League. After helping them secure promotion towards the back end of the 2013-14 season, Mahrez then led the Foxes to an unprecedented Premier League triumph in the 2015-16 season. In the said season, he was also crowned the Algerian Footballer of the Year, PFA Players' Player of the Year and was part of the PFA Team of the Year. In 2016, he also picked up the award for the CAF's Best African Footballer.

In addition, Mahrez has made in excess of forty appearances for the Algeria since making his debut for the Desert Foxes on the 31st of May, 2014. He was also a part of the side that made the Round of 16 at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Position and Playing Style

Mahrez predominantly operates as a winger with him playing on the right wing more often than not. The Algerian boasts of a bag of tricks and is extremely powerful with his left foot. One of his signature moves represents cutting inside from the right flank and getting shots away on goal.