Riyad Mahrez reunites with Djamel Belmadi | OneFootball

Reunion between Riyad Mahrez and Djamel Belmadi

Riyad Mahrez reunites with Djamel Belmadi

The reunion between Djamel Belmadi and Riyad Mahrez, two icons of Algerian football, lit up the second matchday of the AFC Champions League. In Doha, the clash between Al-Duhail SC, led by the former Algeria national team coach, and Al-Ahli FC, captained by his ex-skipper, ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw. The Qataris took the lead through Edmilson Jr, but two errors from backup goalkeeper Burke handed the advantage to Al-Ahli, with Mahrez getting on the scoresheet. After halftime, Piatek leveled the match with a stunning header, sealing a hard-fought share of the spoils in an intense encounter.

While the match delivered on its sporting promise, the lasting image remains the warm exchange between Belmadi and Mahrez after the final whistle. Together, from 2018 to 2024, they thrilled Algeria by clinching the 2019 AFCON title in Egypt and setting a record 35-match unbeaten streak. But they also faced heartbreak, with elimination in the 2022 World Cup playoffs and two early Africa Cup exits. In the post-match press conference, Belmadi paid tribute to his former captain, calling him “a world-class player, capable of changing the course of a match at any moment.” This reunion is a reminder that, despite their separation and shared challenges, the duo will forever be linked in the history of Algerian football.