Riyad Mahrez exits Al Ahli as a double AFC Champions League winner, leaving behind 122 games, 37 goals, and 46 assists—including 31 in the Roshn Saudi League—after three standout seasons in Saudi Arabia’s top flight.
Why did Al Ahli let Riyad Mahrez go?
The Algerian winger’s departure marks the end of an era for Al Ahli, who announced his exit last week alongside Côte d’Ivoire captain Franck Kessié. Mahrez’s move comes after three full campaigns, during which he failed to deliver a Roshn Saudi League title but secured back-to-back AFC Champions League Elite trophies in 2024 and 2025. His departure leaves the club reshaping its squad ahead of a new competitive cycle.
How did Riyad Mahrez impact Al Ahli’s continental success?
Mahrez was the engine of Al Ahli’s Asian dominance, contributing 13 goals and 10 assists across both ACL Elite-winning campaigns. His experience—earned at Manchester City and Leicester—proved decisive in crunch moments, like his extra-time free-kick winner against Al Duhail in April 2025, which sent Al Ahli through to the final. In Saudi league play, his 31 assists (nearly double the next-best player’s total) made him the league’s top playmaker.
What made Mahrez’s Al Ahli spell different from his European tenure?
Unlike his time at Leicester City or Manchester City, where pace was a weapon, Mahrez adapted in Saudi Arabia by trading speed for smart movement and a lethal left foot. His 46 total assists across all competitions reflect a player who thrived in Al Ahli’s possession-based system, even as his top speed faded. The club’s understated identity mirrored his own—subtle brilliance over flashy individualism.
What’s next for Riyad Mahrez after Al Ahli?
With his contract expired, Mahrez’s future remains uncertain. Speculation links him to European sides seeking his big-game experience, though Saudi rivals could re-sign him. His departure from Al Ahli closes a chapter where he helped redefine the club’s identity—from relegation battlers in 2022 to continental champions by 2024.