Algerian national football team coach, Jamal Belmadi, has affirmed Riyad Mahrez’s right to the African Golden Ball award, following the player’s statement that he is “most deserving” due to his title-rich season with English club Manchester City in the 2022-2023 season.
Belmadi’s remarks come on the eve of Algeria’s match at home against Somalia, marking the start of the African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, to be held this Thursday. The Algerian team will also face Mozambique in Maputo three days later.
Algeria competes in Group Seven alongside teams from Somalia, Mozambique, Guinea, Uganda, and Botswana.
During a press conference held Wednesday at Nelson Mandela Stadium, Belmadi stated, “Mahrez deserves the African Golden Ball (for Africa’s best player).”
He added, “We must support our players, especially when they achieve results. Winning a triplet with Manchester City is no easy feat. There are rarely African players who win the UEFA Champions League.”
Belmadi continued, “I don’t know how they are chosen, but for me, the African Golden Ball should go to Riyad.”
Mahrez: I Am Most Deserving
In an interview with the French newspaper “L’Equipe,” the Algerian star said, “Regarding the Golden Ball, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane are always undoubtedly contenders, but they had a tough season on a collective level. I won three titles last season, scoring 20 goals and making 15 assists. My season was special and amazing.”
Mahrez added that he was among the top performers in the Premier League and the FA Cup, though less influential in the Champions League. Over the past seasons, “I have always been impactful in this prestigious tournament.”
He believes there is a rationale for him winning the African Golden Ball, hearing that there were attempts to promote Moroccan goalkeeper Bono. “True, he won the Europa League and shone in the World Cup, but this doesn’t compare to Manchester City’s historic triplet.”
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is expected to award the best continental player for the 2022-2023 season on December 11, in a ceremony to be held in Marrakech, Morocco.
Riyad Mahrez Deserves African Golden Ball After Manchester City’s Triplet, Belmadi Affirms
Algerian national football team coach, Jamal Belmadi, has affirmed Riyad Mahrez’s right to the African Golden Ball award, following the player’s statement that he is “most deserving” due to his title-rich season with English club Manchester City in the 2022-2023 season.
Belmadi’s remarks come on the eve of Algeria’s match at home against Somalia, marking the start of the African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, to be held this Thursday. The Algerian team will also face Mozambique in Maputo three days later.
Algeria competes in Group Seven alongside teams from Somalia, Mozambique, Guinea, Uganda, and Botswana.
During a press conference held Wednesday at Nelson Mandela Stadium, Belmadi stated, “Mahrez deserves the African Golden Ball (for Africa’s best player).”
He added, “We must support our players, especially when they achieve results. Winning a triplet with Manchester City is no easy feat. There are rarely African players who win the UEFA Champions League.”
Belmadi continued, “I don’t know how they are chosen, but for me, the African Golden Ball should go to Riyad.”
Mahrez: I Am Most Deserving
In an interview with the French newspaper “L’Equipe,” the Algerian star said, “Regarding the Golden Ball, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane are always undoubtedly contenders, but they had a tough season on a collective level. I won three titles last season, scoring 20 goals and making 15 assists. My season was special and amazing.”
Mahrez added that he was among the top performers in the Premier League and the FA Cup, though less influential in the Champions League. Over the past seasons, “I have always been impactful in this prestigious tournament.”
He believes there is a rationale for him winning the African Golden Ball, hearing that there were attempts to promote Moroccan goalkeeper Bono. “True, he won the Europa League and shone in the World Cup, but this doesn’t compare to Manchester City’s historic triplet.”
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is expected to award the best continental player for the 2022-2023 season on December 11, in a ceremony to be held in Marrakech, Morocco.
Riyad Mahrez African Golden Ball , For more detailed coverage, visit dzwatch.net .
