Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez has officially retired from international football following his nation's exit from the World Cup. The Desert Foxes fell 2-0 to Switzerland in the round of 32, marking a definitive end to a decorated era for the former Manchester City winger. His departure leaves a massive leadership void in the national squad.

Mahrez departs as one of the most decorated players in his country's history. He sits second on the all-time scoring list with 40 goals, trailing only Islam Slimani. His international legacy includes captaining Algeria to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations title, a feat secured after a dramatic stoppage-time free-kick against Nigeria in the semi-finals.

This tournament served as a final personal success for the veteran. He recorded three goal involvements across four matches, including two goals against Austria. These statistics represent the most productive single World Cup campaign by any Algerian player. His retirement concludes a career defined by continental silverware and high-level individual performance on the global stage.