Algeria: When Riyad Mahrez responds to criticism about his physical condition | OneFootball

Riyad Mahrez

Riyad Mahrez has often been singled out by Algerian national team supporters regarding his form. The Fennecs' captain has finally broken his silence.

Less decisive and less explosive physically in his recent appearances with Algeria, Riyad Mahrez no longer commands unanimous support. Some even believe he should no longer be called up by coach Vladimir Petkovic. Recently, a video of Riyad Mahrez has been circulating on social media, showing him exhausted after a fitness test. In the background, the trainer can be heard saying "13.4," and some have used this to criticize his physical condition, suggesting a supposedly low MAS (Maximum Aerobic Speed) of 13.4.

This prompted the player to react on his X account, replying to a page that set the record straight: "Thanks lol, it wasn't even a MAS test yesterday, just a regular fitness test (and by the way, 13.4 isn't even the MAS of a child). I accept that I've aged, but let's be serious, Twitter experts. I've been reading stuff since yesterday about the speaker's '13.4'—I think it was actually the level Merih Demiral (behind me) was at. He had just started his test, so it was mostly about him. These are professionals, nothing like your schoolyard drills, guys lol."