Mahrez's international retirement: why the FAF's tribute is not at the top of the list.
Riyad Mahrez finds himself in an unprecedented situation since the start of his professional career. The former captain of the Greens, who enjoyed a high annual salary with Saudi club Al-Ahli, is now unemployed. Offers are scarce and his options are dwindling, raising concerns about his potential trip to Algeria in the coming days.
During his last three seasons at Al-Ahli Jeddah, the ex-captain of the Greens earned €43 million net per year. However, at the end of June, the Saudi club decided not to extend his contract for a fourth year. In return, the player received €15 million to terminate their contractual relationship.
After securing this sum, Mahrez expected to quickly define his future. He relied on his name and experience to easily join another club. However, the realities of the transfer market have proven to be quite different from his expectations.
Also read: Dual-national players to convince, the post-Mahrez era… Hemdani's revelations
A salary demand complicating discussions
According to circulating information, Mahrez refuses to accept less than €10 million per year to sign with a club interested in his services. This demand seriously complicates his situation. At 35 years old, the player is no longer at the same stage of his career as before, when he attracted substantial financial offers.
Clubs considering his profile are no longer solely focused on his name and career. They are also taking into account his age, the cost of the operation, the duration he could provide added value, as well as his current physical and technical condition.
Al-Chabab in the lead, but regulatory constraints
Among the clubs mentioned in connection with Mahrez in his search for a new challenge is Al-Chabab from Saudi Arabia. Reports from Saudi Arabia have mentioned progress in negotiations and an agreement nearly finalized regarding the player's personal terms.
However, the transfer faces obstacles related to the club's foreign player quota. It is indeed necessary to free up a spot to register the player, in addition to the financial and regulatory constraints faced by Saudi clubs.
European interest has also waned
Between his desire to maintain his salary conditions, his advanced age, and his long absence from competition, Mahrez is facing a real challenge in determining his next destination. His maneuvering room has diminished, as has the interest from some European clubs.
Media sources had previously linked his name to clubs such as Como in Italy. However, this interest now seems to have faded in light of the complexity of the situation.
The FAF tribute is not a priority for the former captain
As Mahrez focuses on his football future, his attendance in Algeria for the planned tribute alongside Issam Mandi does not seem to be one of his current priorities. This distinction, considered by the Algerian Football Federation after the announcement of their international retirement following the 2026 World Cup, remains in limbo.
According to the media El-Khabar, the former captain of the national team remains focused on resolving his sporting future. His future remains open to several possibilities, as he waits to find a club that accepts his conditions and offers him the opportunity to return to competition after an extended absence.
Also read: Mahrez and Mandi will be present for Hemdani's first match
More from this section
Discipline, cohesion, authority: the challenges awaiting Hemdani within the Greens
Following Ait-Nouri, a new disciplinary incident has erupted within the U23 team.
Amine Gouiri suffers an injury: the Algeria forward withdraws from the trip to Burundi.
Rayan Aït Nouri dropped from the Greens following his outburst against Zambia.
Hemdani – Ait-Nouri: confrontation during the Algeria-Zambia match
