Former Algeria defender Faouzi Ghoulam has thrown his support behind captain Riyad Mahrez, insisting the veteran winger remains among the world’s elite players despite growing debate over his role with the Fennecs.
Questions have emerged in recent months over whether younger talents, including Anis Hadj Moussa, should take on greater responsibility within the national team. However, Ghoulam believes Mahrez’s experience, quality and leadership continue to make him indispensable for Algeria.
Speaking in an interview with WinWin, the former Napoli full-back praised his former international teammate and highlighted his recent success with Saudi Arabian club Al Ahli.
“Riyad is my brother. The reality is that he just won the Asian Champions League. He was a key and influential player in this competition, a huge star.
“At the peak of his career, he was among the five best players in the world, and even today, I place him among the top 10 players in the world,” Ghoulam said.
Mahrez has been one of the defining figures of Algerian football over the last decade, earning admiration for his creativity, technical ability and decisive contributions in crucial moments.
While acknowledging that age has affected some aspects of the former Manchester City star’s game, Ghoulam argued that his intelligence and experience allow him to remain a difference-maker.
“He is a decisive player, excellent with the final pass and dribbling. Of course, he does not have the same physical power and speed as before, but he brings a lot to Al Ahli thanks to his experience and quality,” he added.
Ghoulam also defended the standard of the Saudi Pro League, arguing that the competition is often underestimated despite the number of high-profile players and clubs involved.
“The level of the Saudi Pro League is very high. There are clubs like Al Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ittihad, Al Shabab and others with incredible talent. These are players who could return to Europe and compete at the highest level without any problem.
“And Mahrez, if he returned to Europe today, he could play anywhere,” Ghoulam stated.
With Algeria preparing for another major international campaign, Ghoulam’s remarks highlight the continued belief within the national team that Mahrez remains a central figure.
Despite the rise of a new generation of Algerian talents, the former defender believes the captain’s leadership, vision and ability to decide big matches will remain crucial to the Fennecs’ ambitions on football’s biggest stages.
