Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez has revealed that the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will be his final appearance at the tournament.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s quarter-final clash against Nigeria, the 34-year-old confirmed he is ready to bow out of Africa’s biggest stage.
“I think it will be my last AFCON,” Mahrez said at the Stade de Marrakech. “I want to focus on the next game and give everything for our country.”
The announcement adds massive stakes to the “final-worthy” meeting between the Desert Warriors and the Super Eagles—the only two teams in Morocco with perfect winning records.
Mahrez, who has three goals in the tournament so far, famously knocked Nigeria out with a last-minute free-kick in 2019.
Now, with over 100 caps and a legendary career behind him, he is fighting to ensure his final tournament ends with a trophy.
