Unveiling Riyad Mahrez: ‘The Arabian soccer Jewel’

It was a sunny Saturday afternoon March 15, 2014 in the city of Leicester, championship leaders Leicester city were trailing Blackpool by a goal. On the hour mark, little known Riyad Mahrez got the ball about yards from opposition goal turned in a Blackpool defender and rifled home a stunning, swerving strike that sent photographic chills down the spine of home team supporters. Leicester went on to win the match, but it was Riyad Mahrez’s goal that made the headlines.

Riyad Mahrez is an Algerian Player who plies his trade with Leicester city in the English premiership. Riyad was born on February 21, 1991 and started playing professional foot with Quimper in 2009. He was born in France to Algerian father and Moroccan mother, granting him a multi-continental citizenship with chance to play for any of the three countries but he chose to play for the Algerian national team. Riyad has represented Algeria at the FIFA 2014 world cup and the 2015 African Cup of nations, winning 20 international caps.

On the 5th of December 2015, Riyad gave the fine points of his soccer prowess as he scored all three goals, when Leicester ran rout of sinking Swansea away from home. He picked up a perfect 10 rating on that day, becoming the only player with full star ratings on more than one occasion this season. Riyad is one reason why Leicester are league leaders with a remarkable record of just one loss after 15 matches. He has had a hand directly in 16 of Leicester’s league goals this season and his only bettered than Mesut Ozil on the assist table. With his dexterity very obvious, Riyad’s consistency and increasing telepathy with other front-men, Jarmy Vardy and Okazaki has had huge impact on Leicester city’s fine run in the league.

While Jarmy Vardy might be the league top scorer with 15 goals. Riyad’s run of form, tricky foot, solo runs and cutting edge passes has made him the best winger in England this year and a contender for player of the season. At Just 24, the world is still at Riyad’s magical feet and we hope he can fully kindle his intimidating prospect.

Riyad is absolutely flying, a young Algerian doing the Arab world proud in soccer. His ingenuity, on pitch communication and penchant for victory is an inspirational recipe for young Africans.