Riyad Mahrez and Aïssa Mandi will have to wait until November to receive their official farewell tribute from the Algerian Football Federation (FAF).
The ceremony was originally expected to take place during the current international break, but the FAF has postponed the event until the November international window.
Mahrez and Mandi, both members of Algeria’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations-winning team, ended their international careers after the 2026 World Cup.
The pair leave the national team having made a combined 241 appearances for Algeria, with Mahrez earning 119 caps and Mandi reaching 122.
The FAF had planned to give the two former internationals an opportunity to say goodbye to Algerian supporters in recognition of their contributions to the national team.
Although the timing of the ceremony has changed, the federation’s plans to honour the two players remain in place.
Mahrez and Mandi had initially been expected to attend the first national team gathering under new coach Brahim Hemdani.
The FAF has instead opted to hold the ceremony during the November international break, when the two former players are expected to be honoured in front of the Algerian public.
The planned tribute has received support from within Algerian football, including former international team-mate Islam Slimani.
” These are two players who have marked the history of Algeria. […] These are players who deserve a tribute , ” the top scorer in the history of the Greens had recently declared .
Mahrez has already received an informal show of appreciation from Algeria supporters.
During Friday’s 3-1 victory over Zambia at the Hocine-Aït-Ahmed Stadium in Tizi Ouzou, fans celebrated their former captain in the seventh minute of the match.
The timing was a reference to the number seven shirt Mahrez famously wore for the national team.
The moment carried additional significance because the match was Algeria’s first official fixture since Mahrez announced his international retirement.
The former Manchester City player was one of the key figures in Algeria’s successful 2019 AFCON campaign, and his influence remains recognised by supporters despite the national team now beginning a new period under Hemdani.
While his international future has been settled, uncertainty remains over Mahrez’s next move at club level.
The 35-year-old has been without a club since leaving Al-Ahli at the beginning of the summer and has yet to decide where he will continue his playing career.
A number of possible destinations have been discussed in recent weeks, including clubs in Europe, the Gulf and South America, but no move has materialised so far.
Mahrez has nevertheless continued working on his fitness while waiting for his next opportunity.
Recent images shared by his fitness coach Jamie Elite DXB showed the winger training individually in Dubai as he maintains his physical condition.
For now, Mahrez’s attention remains partly focused on what comes next in his club career.
But in November, he is expected to return to the spotlight in Algeria alongside Mandi for the official farewell that was originally scheduled for the current international break.
The FAF’s decision to postpone the ceremony means the two former internationals will have to wait a little longer before receiving their tribute in front of the supporters.
