Riyad Mahrez has drawn the curtain on a glittering international career, announcing his retirement from Algeria duty in the immediate aftermath of the nation’s World Cup elimination, a 2-0 defeat to Switzerland in the round of 32.

The five-time Premier League winner, visibly emotional as he left the pitch, acknowledged the crowd with a thumbs-up, tapped his chest and waved to the Algerian supporters who had followed him through more than a decade in the national shirt.

There were good times and difficult times as well, of course. That is part of a career, he reflected after the match, summing up a journey that began as a childhood dream and ended with him established as one of Algeria’s greatest modern players.

But representing Algeria has been a dream of mine ever since I was young, to play for my country. It has been an immense honor and a great source of pride, he said, before confirming that he would not pull on the national jersey again. It is the new generation’s turn to play.

Mahrez, who currently plays for Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia, steps away from the international stage with a formidable record. The 35-year-old forward amassed 119 caps, the second-most in Algeria’s history, and scored 40 goals, also the second-highest tally for the national team.

His defining moment in green and white came at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, where he captained Algeria to the continental title. His stoppage-time free kick against Nigeria in the semifinal, a swerving strike into the top corner, became an instant classic and symbolized his ability to decide the biggest matches.

At club level, Mahrez’s rise from relative obscurity at Le Havre to global prominence was equally remarkable. He was a central figure in Leicester City’s improbable Premier League triumph, then moved to Manchester City, where he added four more league titles and a Champions League crown, cementing his status among the elite wide forwards of his generation.

For Algeria, his departure marks the end of an era. Mahrez leaves behind a legacy of technical brilliance, decisive goals and a sense of possibility for a nation that often looked to him for inspiration. The task now passes to the next wave of talent, charged with building on the foundation laid by one of the country’s finest footballing ambassadors.