نشر الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم (FIFA) تقريراً خاصاً في موقعه الرسمي على الشبكة العنكبوتية للحديث عن نجم الأهلي قائد منتخب الجزائر رياض محرز بعنوان «رياض محرز لم يتخلَ عن حُلم العودة إلى كأس العالم»، تطرق فيه للحديث عن النجم الخلوق رياض محرز، حيث بدأ التقرير قائلاً: «تمثل مسيرة رياض محرز إلهاماً للملايين من الجزائريين، وهو ما يشكل دافعاً في كأس العالم 2026».
«أضعت التأهل إلى كأس العالم مرتين، وسنعمل المستحيل للتأهل إلى النسخة القادمة». هذه كانت كلمات القائد رياض محرز في مارس الماضي، وبعد 7 أشهر أوفى بوعده، حيث سجل هدفاً وصنع آخر في مباراة حسم التأهل إلى كأس العالم FIFA 26™ أمام الصومال في مدينة وهران، ليعيد الجزائر مرةً أخرى إلى المونديال، وقال بعد المباراة: «سأبذل كل ما في وسعي لتمثيل الجزائر بأفضل صورة».
تألق محرز في مونديال 2014
رياض محرز ليس غريباً عن كأس العالم، فهو كان من ضمن المنتخب الجزائري الذي شارك لآخر مرة في المونديال، حينما قدم الفريق أداءً قوياً في البطولة ضد ألمانيا -التي توجت باللقب حينها- وخاض مباراة ماراثونية انتهت بالأشواط الإضافية في دور الـ16.
ورغم أن محرز لم يكن قد بدأ مسيرته القوية بعد حينها، إلّا أن هذا لم يمنعه من المشاركة في المباراة الافتتاحية ضد منتخب بلجيكا، حيث كان محاربو الصحراء قريبين من تحقيق نتيجة إيجابية بعد التقدم بهدف سفيان فيغولي، لكن مروان فيلايني أدرك التعادل في الدقيقة 70، قبل أن يخطف دريس ميرتينز الفوز للخصم قبل النهاية بـ10 دقائق.
عرفت بعد ذلك مسيرة محرز صعوداً كبيراً وصاروخياً، فقد ساعد ليستر سيتي على تحقيق المعجزة بنيل لقب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز موسم 2016 بتسجيله 17 هدفاً مع صناعة 10 أهداف أخرى لزملائه، وهذا مكّنه من الفوز بجائزة أفضل لاعب في الدوري الإنجليزي بتصويت رابطة اللاعبين المحترفين، وبتصويت الجماهير أيضاً، قبل أن يساعد مانشستر سيتي على نيل لقب الدوري الإنجليزي في 4 مناسبات متتالية، ولقب دوري أبطال أوروبا 2023، والعديد من البطولات الأخرى.
محرز يقود الأهلي لأول لقب آسيوي
هذه الإنجازات لم تتوقف حينما انتقل محرز إلى الأهلي السعودي، بل ساعد فريقه الجديد على نيل لقب دوري أبطال آسيا للنخبة للمرة الأولى في تاريخه، بعد أن ساهم بتسجيل 17 هدفاً (سجل 9، وصنع 8) في 13 مباراة فقط، مؤكداً أنه لا يزال في قمة عطائه الكروي رغم بلوغه سن الـ34.
قائد وهداف الجزائر يُعيد منتخب بلاده للمونديال
بالتالي المسيرة الحافلة لمحرز وضعت عليه مسؤولية أكبر في إعادة الجزائر إلى كأس العالم بعد غياب دام 12 عاماً، لتكون مشاركته الثانية في المونديال العالمي، كما تضع عليه مسؤولية توحيد الفريق خلف علم البلاد خصوصاً باعتباره القائد (الكابتن) الحالي للمنتخب، وليس مجرد أحد أبرز نجومه ومفاتيح لعبه.
وفي الحقيقة، مسيرة محرز الدولية مع الجزائر لا تقتصر فقط على المشاركة الرابعة في كأس العالم 2014، ولا حتى على المساهمة بتسجيل 77 هدفاً (سجل 33، وصنع 44) في 105 مباريات فحسب، فهو أيضاً من صنّاع النجاح الرئيسيين في نيل كأس أمم أفريقيا 2019 للمرة الثانية في تاريخ البلاد، ولأول مرة منذ 29 عاماً، واختير حينها ضمن التشكيلة المثالية للبطولة بتسجيله 3 أهداف، أبرزها هدف التأهل الحاسم للمباراة النهائية في الدقيقة الخامسة من الوقت بدل الضائع في شباك نيجيريا.
لست وحيداً يا رياض
لكن لن يكون محرز لاعب الخبرة الوحيد في صفوف محاربي الصحراء، المدافع عيسى ماندي هو الآخر لعب في البرازيل 2014، حيث شارك في 3 مباريات، ويملك مسيرة عظيمة على صعيد الأندية بتمثيله أندية ريمس، وريال بيتيس، وفياريال، وأخيراً ليل، إلى جانب لاعب خط الوسط المميز نبيل بن طالب الذي شارك أيضاً في 3 مباريات في كأس العالم سابقاً، ويلعب هو الآخر إلى جانب ماندي في ليل حالياً، بعد أن مثّل عدة أندية بارزة مثل توتنهام هوتسبير، ونيوكاسل يونايتد، وأندية أخرى.
كما أن صفوف الثعالب لا تزخر بأصحاب الخبرة فقط، فهناك نجوم جدد تركوا بصمتهم الواضحة في تصفيات أفريقيا المؤهلة إلى كأس العالم FIFA 26، أبرزهم: محمد عمورة، نجم فولفسبورغ الألماني، الذي سجل 8 أهداف وصنع 4 في التصفيات، وترك انطباعاً هائلاً بين جماهير المنتخب، إلى جانب المهاجم المخضرم بغداد بونجاح، مع لاعبين مميزين آخرين مثل أمين غويري، ويوسف بلايلي، والعديد من النجوم.
لذلك، القائد رياض محرز سيتسلح بكتيبة من اللاعبين المميزين، وجميعهم سيعملون على تحقيق ما هو أبعد مما حققه منتخب بلادهم في البرازيل حينما يزورون أمريكا الشمالية العام القادم.
انفوجرافيك:
- التأهل الثاني لرياض محرز مع منتخب بلاده للمونديال
- ساهم في 77 هدفاً (سجل 33، وصنع 44)
- حقق كأس أمم أفريقيا 2019 لمنتخب بلاده وهي المرة الثانية في تاريخ الجزائر
- قاد الأهلي لأول لقب آسيوي
رياض محرز.. القائد الذي لم يتخلَ عن حُلم العودة إلى كأس العالم
13 أكتوبر 2025 - 00:02
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آخر تحديث 13 أكتوبر 2025 - 00:02
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صالح عابد الحربي (جدة) saleh_okaz@
The International Football Federation (FIFA) published a special report on its official website discussing the star of Al Ahly and captain of the Algeria national team, Riyad Mahrez, titled "Riyad Mahrez Has Not Given Up on His Dream of Returning to the World Cup." The report highlighted the admirable star Riyad Mahrez, beginning with the statement: "Riyad Mahrez's career is an inspiration to millions of Algerians, which serves as motivation for the 2026 World Cup."
"I missed qualifying for the World Cup twice, and we will do everything possible to qualify for the next edition." These were the words of captain Riyad Mahrez last March, and after 7 months, he fulfilled his promise by scoring one goal and assisting another in the match that secured qualification for the FIFA World Cup 26™ against Somalia in the city of Oran, bringing Algeria back to the World Cup once again. After the match, he said: "I will do everything in my power to represent Algeria in the best way."
Mahrez Shines in the 2014 World Cup
Riyad Mahrez is no stranger to the World Cup, as he was part of the Algerian national team that last participated in the tournament, where the team delivered a strong performance against Germany - who went on to win the title - in a marathon match that ended in extra time in the Round of 16.
Although Mahrez had not yet started his strong career at that time, it did not prevent him from participating in the opening match against Belgium, where the Desert Warriors were close to achieving a positive result after taking the lead with a goal from Sofiane Feghouli. However, Marouane Fellaini equalized in the 70th minute, before Dries Mertens snatched victory for the opponent just 10 minutes before the end.
Since then, Mahrez's career has seen a significant and meteoric rise. He helped Leicester City achieve the miracle of winning the Premier League title in the 2016 season by scoring 17 goals and assisting 10 others for his teammates, which earned him the title of Best Player in the Premier League by the Professional Footballers' Association and by fan voting as well, before helping Manchester City win the Premier League title on four consecutive occasions, the UEFA Champions League title in 2023, and many other trophies.
Mahrez Leads Al Ahly to Its First Asian Title
These achievements did not stop when Mahrez moved to Al Ahly in Saudi Arabia; he helped his new team win the AFC Champions League title for the first time in its history, contributing by scoring 17 goals (9 scored and 8 assisted) in just 13 matches, confirming that he is still at the peak of his football performance despite reaching the age of 34.
Algeria's Captain and Top Scorer Brings His Country Back to the World Cup
Thus, Mahrez's illustrious career has placed a greater responsibility on him to bring Algeria back to the World Cup after a 12-year absence, marking his second participation in the global tournament. It also places the responsibility on him to unite the team behind the country's flag, especially as he is the current captain of the national team, not just one of its prominent stars and key players.
In fact, Mahrez's international career with Algeria is not limited to just the fourth participation in the 2014 World Cup, nor to contributing to scoring 77 goals (33 scored and 44 assisted) in 105 matches. He is also one of the main architects of success in winning the Africa Cup of Nations in 2019 for the second time in the country's history, and for the first time in 29 years, and he was selected for the tournament's best XI after scoring 3 goals, the most notable being the decisive goal that qualified the team for the final in the fifth minute of stoppage time against Nigeria.
You Are Not Alone, Riyad
However, Mahrez will not be the only experienced player in the ranks of the Desert Warriors. Defender Aïssa Mandi also played in Brazil 2014, participating in 3 matches, and has a great club career representing Reims, Real Betis, Villarreal, and finally Lille, alongside the talented midfielder Nabil Bentaleb, who also participated in 3 matches in a previous World Cup and currently plays alongside Mandi at Lille after representing several prominent clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, and others.
The ranks of the Foxes are not only filled with experienced players; there are also new stars who have left a clear mark in the Africa qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 26, most notably: Mohamed Amoura, the star of German club Wolfsburg, who scored 8 goals and assisted 4 in the qualifiers, leaving a tremendous impression among the national team fans, alongside veteran striker Baghdad Bounedjah, as well as other distinguished players like Amine Gouiri, Youssef Belaïli, and many stars.
Therefore, captain Riyad Mahrez will be armed with a squad of distinguished players, all of whom will work to achieve what is beyond what their country’s team accomplished in Brazil when they visit North America next year.
Infographic:
- Mahrez's second qualification with his national team for the World Cup
- Contributed to 77 goals (33 scored and 44 assisted)
- Won the Africa Cup of Nations 2019 for his national team, marking the second time in Algeria's history
- Led Al Ahly to its first Asian title
"I missed qualifying for the World Cup twice, and we will do everything possible to qualify for the next edition." These were the words of captain Riyad Mahrez last March, and after 7 months, he fulfilled his promise by scoring one goal and assisting another in the match that secured qualification for the FIFA World Cup 26™ against Somalia in the city of Oran, bringing Algeria back to the World Cup once again. After the match, he said: "I will do everything in my power to represent Algeria in the best way."
Mahrez Shines in the 2014 World Cup
Riyad Mahrez is no stranger to the World Cup, as he was part of the Algerian national team that last participated in the tournament, where the team delivered a strong performance against Germany - who went on to win the title - in a marathon match that ended in extra time in the Round of 16.
Although Mahrez had not yet started his strong career at that time, it did not prevent him from participating in the opening match against Belgium, where the Desert Warriors were close to achieving a positive result after taking the lead with a goal from Sofiane Feghouli. However, Marouane Fellaini equalized in the 70th minute, before Dries Mertens snatched victory for the opponent just 10 minutes before the end.
Since then, Mahrez's career has seen a significant and meteoric rise. He helped Leicester City achieve the miracle of winning the Premier League title in the 2016 season by scoring 17 goals and assisting 10 others for his teammates, which earned him the title of Best Player in the Premier League by the Professional Footballers' Association and by fan voting as well, before helping Manchester City win the Premier League title on four consecutive occasions, the UEFA Champions League title in 2023, and many other trophies.
Mahrez Leads Al Ahly to Its First Asian Title
These achievements did not stop when Mahrez moved to Al Ahly in Saudi Arabia; he helped his new team win the AFC Champions League title for the first time in its history, contributing by scoring 17 goals (9 scored and 8 assisted) in just 13 matches, confirming that he is still at the peak of his football performance despite reaching the age of 34.
Algeria's Captain and Top Scorer Brings His Country Back to the World Cup
Thus, Mahrez's illustrious career has placed a greater responsibility on him to bring Algeria back to the World Cup after a 12-year absence, marking his second participation in the global tournament. It also places the responsibility on him to unite the team behind the country's flag, especially as he is the current captain of the national team, not just one of its prominent stars and key players.
In fact, Mahrez's international career with Algeria is not limited to just the fourth participation in the 2014 World Cup, nor to contributing to scoring 77 goals (33 scored and 44 assisted) in 105 matches. He is also one of the main architects of success in winning the Africa Cup of Nations in 2019 for the second time in the country's history, and for the first time in 29 years, and he was selected for the tournament's best XI after scoring 3 goals, the most notable being the decisive goal that qualified the team for the final in the fifth minute of stoppage time against Nigeria.
You Are Not Alone, Riyad
However, Mahrez will not be the only experienced player in the ranks of the Desert Warriors. Defender Aïssa Mandi also played in Brazil 2014, participating in 3 matches, and has a great club career representing Reims, Real Betis, Villarreal, and finally Lille, alongside the talented midfielder Nabil Bentaleb, who also participated in 3 matches in a previous World Cup and currently plays alongside Mandi at Lille after representing several prominent clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, and others.
The ranks of the Foxes are not only filled with experienced players; there are also new stars who have left a clear mark in the Africa qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 26, most notably: Mohamed Amoura, the star of German club Wolfsburg, who scored 8 goals and assisted 4 in the qualifiers, leaving a tremendous impression among the national team fans, alongside veteran striker Baghdad Bounedjah, as well as other distinguished players like Amine Gouiri, Youssef Belaïli, and many stars.
Therefore, captain Riyad Mahrez will be armed with a squad of distinguished players, all of whom will work to achieve what is beyond what their country’s team accomplished in Brazil when they visit North America next year.
Infographic:
- Mahrez's second qualification with his national team for the World Cup
- Contributed to 77 goals (33 scored and 44 assisted)
- Won the Africa Cup of Nations 2019 for his national team, marking the second time in Algeria's history
- Led Al Ahly to its first Asian title