'So proud of him': City fans laud 'fantastic' £60m ace after career milestone

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 19: Riyad Mahrez of Manchester City celebrates after scoring their sides third goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester City at St. James Park on December 19, 2021 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Lynne Cameron - Manchester City/Manchester City FC via Getty Images) — Photo by Lynne Cameron – Manchester City/Manchester City FC via Getty Images

Manchester City attacker Riyad Mahrez has been named captain of Algeria ahead of the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations.

As per BBC Sport, the 30-year-old winger will lead the north African country in the continental competition next month in Cameroon. Algeria are the holders of the AFCON title after winning the tournament in 2019.

Just like two years ago, Algeria are one of the favourites for the competition alongside the likes of Senegal and Egypt, with Mahrez likely to be eager on retaining the AFCON trophy for a second time.

AFCON 2022 is set to be one of the biggest editions of the competition in some time, with many nations boasting some of football’s biggest talents, such as Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and the aforementioned Mahrez.

Indeed, Mahrez, who signed for City for £60m according to BBC Sport, will likely be one of the stars of the show in a packed Algeria squad that includes the likes of Said Benrahma, Adam Ounas and Youcef Atal.

The Desert Fennecs will begin the defence of their title on 11 January against Sierra Leone before facing Equatorial Guinea and Ivory Coast in Group E. And Mahrez will be the player to look out for.

And with the City star being named captain, many supporters on social media are buzzing to see their attacker be handed such a prestigious honour ahead of a major competition.

City fans praise Algeria captain Mahrez

Algeria's Riyad Mahrez celebrates with the trophy during the award ceremony after Algeria defeated Senegal in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match at the Cairo International Stadium, in Cairo, Egypt, on 19 July 2019. (Photo by Islam Safwat/NurPhoto via Getty Images) — Photo by Islam Safwat/NurPhoto via Getty Images

The former Leicester City star will no doubt be eager to win the AFCON title for a second time in his career. And on social media, City fans are buzzing that Mahrez will wear the armband for Algeria.

Soccer News

‘So proud of him’: City fans laud ‘fantastic’ £60m ace after career milestone

City fans praise Algeria captain Mahrez

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Soccer News

‘So proud of him’: City fans laud ‘fantastic’ £60m ace after career milestone

City fans praise Algeria captain Mahrez