1. Early life
Riyad Mahrez's early life was marked by his diverse heritage and a significant personal loss that shaped his determination.
1.1. Childhood and Education
Mahrez was born on 21 February 1991 in Sarcelles, France, a northern suburb of Paris. His father, Ahmed, was Algerian, hailing from Beni Snous in Tlemcen Province, while his mother was of Algerian and Moroccan descent. Growing up, Mahrez frequently spent his holidays in Algeria, maintaining a strong connection to his roots. Among his childhood friends was fellow footballer Wissam Ben Yedder.
Despite his passion for football from a young age, Mahrez often faced rejection from teams due to his slender physique. A pivotal moment in his youth occurred when he was fifteen: his father, who had played football in Algeria and served as a significant influence, passed away from a heart attack. Mahrez later reflected on this loss, stating that he became more serious about his career after his father's death, feeling a stronger internal drive to succeed.
1.2. Personal life
Mahrez married his British girlfriend, Rita Johal, in 2015, and they had two daughters. In June 2019, the couple was ordered to pay over 3.60 K GBP in unpaid wages to a former nanny. Their marriage ended in divorce in 2020.
In October 2020, it was confirmed that Mahrez was in a relationship with English model Taylor Ward. They announced their engagement on 21 June 2021, and their daughter was born in July 2022. Mahrez is a practicing Muslim and undertook the Umrah pilgrimage to Mecca in June 2017. In May 2020, Mahrez's penthouse apartment in Manchester was burgled, resulting in the loss of hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of valuables, including luxury watches. This incident followed a helicopter crash that killed the owner of his former club, Leicester City, to whom Mahrez had dedicated a goal.
2. Club career
Mahrez's professional journey saw him rise from French lower leagues to become a celebrated figure in English and Saudi football, marked by significant team and individual achievements.
2.1. Early career in France
Mahrez began his youth career at AAS Sarcelles in 2004. Despite his developing ball skills, his slender build often led to him being overlooked by teams. In 2009, he joined CFA side Quimper from AAS Sarcelles. In his first season with Quimper, he made 27 appearances and scored 1 goal. During his time at Quimper, he lived with Mathias Pogba. He also had a two-month trial at Scottish club St Mirren, but left due to the cold weather. When Quimper's youth manager Ronan Salaün and his assistant Mickaël Pellen first noticed Mahrez, they recognized his talent, his ability as a set-piece taker, and his excellent technique and dribbling skills with both feet. However, they noted his slim build and a lack of tactical understanding, as he played primarily by instinct from his background in street football. Salaün advised Mahrez to use his intelligence to avoid physical challenges, as he was not strong enough to withstand tackles.
In 2010, Mahrez joined Le Havre, turning down offers from prominent French clubs like Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille, drawn by Le Havre's youth system. He initially played for their reserve team, Le Havre II, appearing in 60 matches and scoring 24 goals from 2010 to 2013. From 2011 until his departure in January 2014, he played 60 times for the first team in the French Ligue 2, scoring 6 goals. He criticized Ligue 2 for what he perceived as its over-reliance on defense and teams aiming for goalless draws.
2.2. Leicester City
Mahrez's move to Leicester City marked a turning point in his career, leading to an unexpected Premier League title and significant individual recognition.
2.2.1. 2013-14 season
While Mahrez was playing for Le Havre, Leicester City's scout Steve Walsh was initially monitoring his teammate Ryan Mendes, but was instead highly impressed by Mahrez. Mahrez himself had never heard of Leicester, initially mistaking them for a rugby club. On 11 January 2014, he signed with Leicester City on a three-and-a-half-year contract for approximately 450.00 K GBP. His friends and family were initially skeptical about his move to English football, believing his playing style would be better suited for Spain due to its less physical nature.
Mahrez made his debut on 25 January 2014, coming on as a substitute in the 79th minute for Lloyd Dyer in a 2-0 victory against Middlesbrough. After making four substitute appearances, he scored his first goal for the club, an 82nd-minute equalizer against local rivals Nottingham Forest. Following this, manager Nigel Pearson stated in February 2014 that Mahrez was ready to start games. Leicester City concluded the season as winners of the Championship, earning promotion to the Premier League for the first time in a decade.
2.2.2. 2014-15 season
Mahrez made his Premier League debut on 16 August 2014 and scored his first goal in the division on 4 October 2014 in a 2-2 draw with Burnley. He was a key part of the Leicester team that won seven of their final nine matches of the season to avoid relegation. He scored both goals in a 2-0 victory over Southampton on 9 May. He finished the season with four goals and three assists from 30 appearances.
2.2.3. 2015-16 season
In August 2015, Mahrez signed a new four-year contract with Leicester. On 8 August 2015, he scored two goals in the season opener against Sunderland, contributing to a 4-2 home win. Captain Wes Morgan later described Mahrez as the team's "match winner" due to his "superb form," which saw him score four goals in the first three games of the season.
After scoring four goals in the opening four games of the 2015-16 season, Mahrez was nominated for the Premier League Player of the Month award. By 3 November 2015, he had scored seven goals in 10 Premier League games. On 5 December, Mahrez scored a hat-trick as Leicester defeated Swansea City 3-0 to go top of the Premier League, bringing his league goal tally to ten and making him the first Algerian to score a Premier League hat-trick. Mahrez and his midfield partners Marc Albrighton, N'Golo Kanté, and Danny Drinkwater received widespread praise for their contributions to Leicester's strong start to the season. Manager Claudio Ranieri deemed Mahrez and forward Jamie Vardy "priceless" ahead of the January transfer window.
In January 2016, Mahrez's transfer value was estimated to have risen from 4.50 M GBP to 30.10 M GBP, placing him among Europe's top 50 most valuable players. His growing popularity in Algeria led to Leicester City having almost three times as many Facebook fans in Algeria than in the UK. The barbershop in Sarcelles that he frequented since childhood became a destination for fans from as far as Belgium, seeking the same haircut.
In April 2016, Mahrez was one of four Leicester players named in the PFA Team of the Year. Later that month, he won the PFA Players' Player of the Year award, becoming the first African player to receive the accolade. When Leicester City clinched the Premier League title, Mahrez made history as the first Algerian to win a Premier League medal.
2.2.4. 2016-17 season
Mahrez signed another new four-year contract with Leicester in August 2016. In October 2016, he was nominated for the 2016 Ballon d'Or, ultimately finishing seventh. He was awarded the BBC African Footballer of the Year in December 2016. Despite a general decline in Leicester's league performance, Mahrez played a crucial role in the team's historic run to the quarter-finals of the Champions League, scoring four goals and providing two assists. On 6 May, Mahrez played his 100th Premier League game for Leicester against Watford, scoring in the match.
2.2.5. 2017-18 season
At the end of the 2016-17 season, Mahrez publicly announced his desire to leave Leicester City. Following this, Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger expressed interest in signing him, and Italian club Roma had a bid for Mahrez rejected in July 2017. In August 2017, despite an uncertain future, he emphasized his "focus" on playing for the club. On 31 August, the final day of the transfer window, the Algerian Football Federation reported that they had allowed him to leave the national team camp to finalize a transfer to an interested club, but the move did not materialize.
In January 2018, Mahrez again submitted a transfer request. After a potential move to Manchester City fell through, Mahrez stopped attending training at Leicester, a behavior that drew criticism from commentators like former player Chris Sutton. Mahrez later criticized the "untrue assumptions" about his absence from the team and thanked his teammates for their support.
2.3. Manchester City
Mahrez's transfer to Manchester City marked a new chapter of success, where he continued to collect major titles, including the UEFA Champions League.
2.3.1. 2018-19 season
On 10 July 2018, Manchester City confirmed the signing of Mahrez on a five-year contract. The transfer fee of 60.00 M GBP made Mahrez the most expensive African footballer at the time, Manchester City's most expensive signing, and a record transfer fee received by Leicester City. Mahrez expressed his ambition to win the Champions League with his new club. He made his debut as a starter on 5 August, as City defeated Chelsea 2-0 to win the 2018 FA Community Shield at Wembley Stadium. On 22 September 2018, Mahrez scored a brace against Cardiff City after coming on as a substitute, with his first goal marking his debut strike for Manchester City.
On 29 October 2018, Mahrez scored the only goal in Manchester City's 1-0 away victory against Tottenham Hotspur, dedicating the goal to Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, the late owner of his former club Leicester City, who had recently died in a helicopter crash. On 24 February 2019, Mahrez secured his second title with Manchester City by winning the EFL Cup against Chelsea. He was also named the best player of the EFL Cup, despite not playing in the final.
By the end of his first season with Manchester City, despite "limited playing time" (including only 14 league starts), Mahrez won his second Premier League title and first with Manchester City, becoming the second African player after Kolo Touré to win the title with two different clubs. Mahrez stated he would not leave City despite his lack of game time, acknowledging that his first season would be challenging given the stable team and quality players, but he trusted his potential. A week later, in the FA Cup final, he achieved his fourth title of the season after a 6-0 victory over Watford, becoming the first African player to complete an English domestic treble, having also won the 2018-19 EFL Cup and the 2018-19 Premier League.
2.3.2. 2019-20 season
In August 2019, Mahrez missed the 2019 FA Community Shield due to concerns about medicine he had received from the Algerian national team. The Algerian FA described the incident as a "non-event." Mahrez later started in Manchester City's 5-0 opening day away win against West Ham United, being involved in all five of his side's goals by providing two assists for hat-trick scorer Raheem Sterling and winning a penalty for Sergio Agüero to score after a retake.
2.3.3. 2020-21 season
On 28 November 2020, Mahrez scored his first hat-trick for City in a 5-0 home league win over Burnley. On 4 May 2021, Mahrez scored both goals in a 2-0 home win over Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of the Champions League semi-finals. A week earlier, he had scored from a direct free kick in a 2-1 away win. His contributions led City to their first European Cup final in the club's history, where they finished as runner-up.
2.3.4. 2021-22 season
On 6 March 2022, Mahrez scored a brace in a 4-1 victory over Manchester United. In the Champions League, he scored a record seven goals, with his final goal coming in the semi-final second leg away match against Real Madrid, giving his team a 1-0 lead before he was substituted. However, Real Madrid managed to turn the tie around with late goals and extra-time, winning 3-1 (6-5 on aggregate) to reach the final. Mahrez scored 24 goals in all competitions, marking his personal best record in a single season, and was subsequently shortlisted for the 2022 Ballon d'Or.
2.3.5. 2022-23 season
On 15 July 2022, Manchester City announced that Mahrez had signed a two-year contract extension, keeping him at the club until 2025. On 22 February 2023, he scored his 20th goal in the Champions League in a 1-1 away draw against RB Leipzig in the round of 16, becoming the fifth African player to achieve this milestone. On 22 April 2023, he became the first player since Alex Dawson in 1958 to score a hat-trick in an FA Cup semi-final, notching three goals against Sheffield United in a 3-0 win. On 10 June, Manchester City won 1-0 against Inter Milan in the Champions League final, making Mahrez the second Algerian to win the competition after Rabah Madjer in 1987. Additionally, he achieved the continental treble with his club, despite not featuring in either the FA Cup or Champions League finals.
2.4. Al-Ahli
On 19 July 2023, it was reported that Manchester City had agreed a deal for Mahrez to join Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli for a transfer fee of 30.00 M GBP. The transfer was officially confirmed on 28 July 2023, with Mahrez signing a contract until 2027. On 11 August 2023, Mahrez provided his first assist for Al-Ahli in his first competitive game for the side, assisting Roberto Firmino in a victory against Al-Hazem.
3. International career
Riyad Mahrez has been a key figure for the Algeria national football team, leading them to significant continental success.
3.1. Debut and representation
In November 2013, the French-born Mahrez expressed his desire to represent Algeria internationally. He was subsequently called up to the provisional Algeria squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. On 31 May 2014, Mahrez made his international debut for the Desert Foxes as a starter in a pre-World Cup friendly match against Armenia. He was then included in the final squad for the tournament on 2 June. His inclusion was met with some criticism from Algerian media, who alleged that he had paid manager Vahid Halilhodžić for a place in the squad. Mahrez played in Algeria's opening group game against Belgium, but was subsequently dropped for the remainder of the tournament, in which Algeria reached the last 16.
On 15 October 2014, Mahrez scored his first international goal, while also setting up Islam Slimani, in Algeria's 3-0 victory over Malawi in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. In December 2014, he was named in Algeria's squad for the final tournament in Equatorial Guinea. His first appearance was against South Africa, where he played 60 minutes. In their final game in the group stage against Senegal, Mahrez helped the national team reach the quarter-finals by scoring the opening goal in a 2-0 win. Against Ivory Coast, his assists for El Arabi Hillel Soudani were not enough to prevent a 3-1 defeat in the quarter-finals. In the second round of the 2018 World Cup qualifier against Tanzania, Mahrez contributed to the team's qualification for the group stage by scoring a goal and assisting Carl Medjani.
Mahrez was included in coach Georges Leekens' Algeria squad for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon. In their opening game, he scored both goals in a 2-2 draw with Zimbabwe and was named Man of the Match. In October 2017, with Algeria's chances of reaching the 2018 FIFA World Cup already over, Mahrez and his Leicester teammate Islam Slimani were omitted from the national team, as coach Lucas Alcaraz opted to introduce several new players. On 18 November 2018, in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, Mahrez scored a brace in a 4-1 away victory against Togo, his first goals for the national team since the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, securing Algeria's qualification for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
3.2. Africa Cup of Nations success
In May 2019, Mahrez was named to Algeria's 23-man squad for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. By decision of coach Djamel Belmadi, Mahrez was chosen to captain Algeria at the tournament. Mahrez scored a crucial 46th-minute goal in a 2-1 win against Nigeria in the semi-finals of the competition. Algeria went on to win the tournament, their first Africa Cup of Nations title since 1990. Mahrez captained Algeria at the delayed 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, held in January 2022.
4. Style of play
Riyad Mahrez's playing style is characterized by his exceptional technical ability and versatility across the attacking front.
Riyad Mahrez is predominantly a left-footed player who typically operates as a right winger. He is widely regarded as one of the best wingers in world football. This position allows him to cut inside and shoot on goal with his stronger foot, or to deliver crosses into the penalty area. However, Mahrez is a versatile player capable of playing anywhere across the front line, including in a central role as an attacking midfielder, as a winger on either flank, or even as a false nine in a centre-forward role.
He is known for being a quick, creative, and technically gifted player. His main attributes include his trickery, balance, turn of pace, flair, and exceptional dribbling skills. While he is capable of scoring goals, he is also an excellent assist provider, thanks to his ability to create chances for his teammates. Despite his overall ability, his record from the penalty spot has been inconsistent throughout his career.
In his youth, Mahrez was noted for his ball skills but was often overlooked due to his slender build. When Quimper's youth manager Ronan Salaün and his assistant Mickaël Pellen first observed him, they commented on his talent, his proficiency as a set-piece taker, and his excellent technique and dribbling skills with both feet. However, they also noted his very slim physique and a lack of tactical awareness, as he played primarily by instinct, having grown up playing street football. Upon signing him, Salaün advised Mahrez to use his intelligence to avoid challenges, as he believed he was not strong enough to withstand physical tackles.
Leicester City's former head of recruitment, Steve Walsh, noted upon observing Mahrez that he was "a bit raw but he had a great touch. He could kill the ball dead and go past people. I liked his positivity. Some of his decision-making wasn't that great and defensively he wasn't the best, but you could see that he had real talent." Mahrez has credited his former Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri for helping him develop the tactical aspect of his game. During his time at Manchester City under manager Pep Guardiola, Mahrez also improved his defensive skills, work-rate, and decision-making. Mahrez has developed his own special skill move, dubbed "La spéciale," in which he fakes a shot with his left foot, then flicks the ball behind his right foot to dribble past his opponent. He is also recognized for his exceptional first touch.
5. Career statistics
5.1. Club statistics
| Club | Season | League | National cup | League cup | Continental | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Quimper | 2009-10 | CFA | 27 | 1 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | 27 | 1 | |||
| Le Havre II | 2010-11 | CFA | 32 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 32 | 13 | ||
| 2011-12 | CFA | 25 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 25 | 11 | |||
| 2012-13 | CFA | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 3 | 0 | |||
| Total | 60 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 60 | 24 | ||||
| Le Havre | 2011-12 | Ligue 2 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 9 | 0 | ||
| 2012-13 | Ligue 2 | 34 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | - | - | 39 | 5 | |||
| 2013-14 | Ligue 2 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | - | - | 19 | 5 | |||
| Total | 60 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 3 | - | - | 67 | 10 | ||||
| Leicester City | 2013-14 | Championship | 19 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 19 | 3 | ||
| 2014-15 | Premier League | 30 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | - | 32 | 4 | |||
| 2015-16 | Premier League | 37 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | - | - | 39 | 18 | |||
| 2016-17 | Premier League | 36 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 48 | 10 | |
| 2017-18 | Premier League | 36 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | - | - | 41 | 13 | |||
| Total | 158 | 42 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 179 | 48 | ||
| Manchester City | 2018-19 | Premier League | 27 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 44 | 12 |
| 2019-20 | Premier League | 33 | 11 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 50 | 13 | |
| 2020-21 | Premier League | 27 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 12 | 4 | - | 48 | 14 | ||
| 2021-22 | Premier League | 28 | 11 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 47 | 24 | |
| 2022-23 | Premier League | 30 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 47 | 15 | |
| Total | 145 | 43 | 23 | 11 | 19 | 8 | 46 | 16 | 3 | 0 | 236 | 78 | ||
| Al-Ahli | 2023-24 | Saudi Pro League | 32 | 11 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | 33 | 12 | |||
| 2024-25 | Saudi Pro League | 22 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 31 | 10 | |||
| Total | 54 | 16 | 1 | 1 | - | 8 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 64 | 22 | |||
| Career total | 504 | 132 | 34 | 13 | 27 | 13 | 63 | 25 | 5 | 0 | 633 | 183 | ||
5.2. International statistics
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Algeria | 2014 | 9 | 2 |
| 2015 | 13 | 2 | |
| 2016 | 5 | 2 | |
| 2017 | 8 | 2 | |
| 2018 | 8 | 2 | |
| 2019 | 14 | 5 | |
| 2020 | 4 | 3 | |
| 2021 | 9 | 8 | |
| 2022 | 9 | 2 | |
| 2023 | 10 | 2 | |
| 2024 | 9 | 2 | |
| Total | 98 | 32 | |
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15 October 2014 | Mustapha Tchaker Stadium, Blida, Algeria | Malawi | 2-0 | 3-0 | 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |
| 2 | 15 November 2014 | Mustapha Tchaker Stadium, Blida, Algeria | Ethiopia | 2-1 | 3-1 | 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |
| 3 | 27 January 2015 | Estadio de Malabo, Malabo, Equatorial Guinea | Senegal | 1-0 | 2-0 | 2015 Africa Cup of Nations |
| 4 | 17 November 2015 | Mustapha Tchaker Stadium, Blida, Algeria | Tanzania | 3-0 | 7-0 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 5 | 4 September 2016 | Mustapha Tchaker Stadium, Blida, Algeria | Lesotho | 2-0 | 6-0 | 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |
| 6 | 6-0 | |||||
| 7 | 15 January 2017 | Stade de Franceville, Franceville, Gabon | Zimbabwe | 1-0 | 2-2 | 2017 Africa Cup of Nations |
| 8 | 2-2 | |||||
| 9 | 18 November 2018 | Stade Municipal, Lomé, Togo | Togo | 1-0 | 4-1 | 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |
| 10 | 3-0 | |||||
| 11 | 23 June 2019 | 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt | Kenya | 2-0 | 2-0 | 2019 Africa Cup of Nations |
| 12 | 7 July 2019 | 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt | Guinea | 2-0 | 3-0 | 2019 Africa Cup of Nations |
| 13 | 14 July 2019 | Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt | Nigeria | 2-1 | 2-1 | 2019 Africa Cup of Nations |
| 14 | 15 October 2019 | Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille, France | Colombia | 2-0 | 3-0 | Friendly |
| 15 | 3-0 | |||||
| 16 | 13 October 2020 | Cars Jeans Stadion, The Hague, Netherlands | Mexico | 2-2 | 2-2 | Friendly |
| 17 | 12 November 2020 | Stade du 5 Juillet, Algiers, Algeria | Zimbabwe | 3-0 | 3-1 | 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |
| 18 | 16 November 2020 | National Sports Stadium, Harare, Zimbabwe | Zimbabwe | 2-0 | 2-2 | 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |
| 19 | 29 March 2021 | Mustapha Tchaker Stadium, Blida, Algeria | Botswana | 3-0 | 5-0 | 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |
| 20 | 6 June 2021 | Mustapha Tchaker Stadium, Blida, Algeria | Mali | 1-0 | 1-0 | Friendly |
| 21 | 11 June 2021 | Stade Olympique de Radès, Radès, Tunisia | Tunisia | 2-0 | 2-0 | Friendly |
| 27 | 27 September 2022 | Olympic Stadium, Oran, Algeria | Nigeria | 1-1 | 2-1 | Friendly |
| 28 | 16 November 2022 | Olympic Stadium, Oran, Algeria | Mali | 1-0 | 1-1 | Friendly |
| 29 | 23 March 2023 | Nelson Mandela Stadium, Algiers, Algeria | Niger | 2-1 | 2-1 | 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |
| 30 | 20 June 2023 | 19 May 1956 Stadium, Annaba, Algeria | Tunisia | 1-1 | 1-1 | Friendly |
| 31 | 9 January 2024 | Stade de Kégué, Lomé, Togo | Burundi | 2-0 | 4-0 | Friendly |
| 32 | 17 November 2024 | Hocine Aït Ahmed Stadium, Tizi Ouzou, Algeria | Liberia | 2-1 | 5-1 | 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |
6. Honours
6.1. Club honours
Leicester City
- Premier League: 2015-16
- Football League Championship: 2013-14
Manchester City
- Premier League: 2018-19, 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23
- FA Cup: 2018-19, 2022-23
- EFL Cup: 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21
- FA Community Shield: 2018
- UEFA Champions League: 2022-23; runner-up: 2020-21
6.2. International honours
Algeria
- Africa Cup of Nations: 2019
6.3. Individual awards
- CAF African Footballer of the Year: 2016
- BBC African Footballer of the Year: 2016
- Algerian Footballer of the Year: 2015, 2016
- PFA Team of the Year: 2015-16 Premier League
- PFA Players' Player of the Year: 2015-16
- PFA Fans' Player of the Year: 2015-16
- Leicester City Player of the Year: 2015-16
- El Heddaf Arab Footballer of the Year: 2016
- Lion d'Or African Footballer of the Year: 2016
- CAF Team of the Year: 2016, 2018, 2019
- CAF Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament: 2019
- African Goal of the Year: 2019
- IFFHS CAF Men Team of The Year: 2020
- IFFHS CAF Men's Team of the Decade 2011-2020
- PFA Fans' Player of the Month: March 2021, January 2023
- Alan Hardaker Trophy: 2021
- IFFHS CAF World's Best Playmaker: 2021
- Saudi Pro League Most assists: 2023-24