Riyad Mahrez retires from the Algeria national team after World Cup elimination By OWEN CAMEROS Fri, July 3, 2026 at 8:10 AM UTC 0 VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Riyad Mahrez, a fivetime Premier League winner, announced his retirement from international soccer following Algeria’s World Cup exit, a 20 defeat to Switzerland in the round of 32 on Thursday. "There were good times and difficult times as well, of course. That’s part of a career," he said afterward. “But representing Algeria has been a dream of mine ever since I was young, to play for my country.
Riyad Mahrez retires from the Algeria national team after World Cup elimination
By OWEN CAMEROS Fri, July 3, 2026 at 8:10 AM UTC
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VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Riyad Mahrez, a five-time Premier League winner, announced his retirement from international soccer following Algeria’s World Cup exit, a 2-0 defeat to Switzerland in the round of 32 on Thursday.
"There were good times and difficult times as well, of course. That’s part of a career," he said afterward. “But representing Algeria has been a dream of mine ever since I was young, to play for my country. It’s been an immense honor and a great source of pride.”
He added: “It is the new generation’s turn to play.”
As he walked off the field following the match, Mahrez gave a thumbs-up, then patted his heart and waved to the fans.
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Mahrez, who plays for Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia, has had an illustrious career at the club and international levels.
The 35-year-old forward retires with the second-most appearances for Algeria (119) and the second-most goals (40). Mahrez was a part of the Algerian team that won the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
At the domestic level, Mahrez won a Premier League title with Leicester City and four with Manchester City, as well as a Champions League title with Manchester City.
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See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here
Source: "AOL Sports"
Source: Sports
Published: July 3, 2026 at 04:27AM on Source: PRIME TIME
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