Essaïd Belkalem: "The best player I've played with? It's Riyad Mahrez" | OneFootball

Riyad Mahrez praised by Belkalem: "The best player I've played with? It's him"

Essaïd Belkalem: "The best player I've played with? It's Riyad Mahrez"

Invited on the set of El Bilad, former Algerian international defender Essaïd Belkalem opened up with some striking reflections on his career. Asked about the player who impressed him most in the national team shirt, the ex-JS Kabylie man didn’t hesitate for a second:

For Belkalem, Mahrez's career path embodies an extraordinary ambition and a strength of character that commands respect.

An exemplary trajectory

Back then, few believed in the words of the former Le Havre man, but Mahrez proved everyone right. From Leicester, where he lifted the Premier League trophy in 2016, to Manchester City, crowned with a Champions League title in 2023, his rise has become a benchmark for success. Now plying his trade at Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia, he remains a reference point in both African and world football.

Belkalem’s perspective, a former Greens stalwart

Essaïd Belkalem, developed at JS Kabylie, wore the national team jersey 19 times between 2011 and 2015, scoring twice for Algeria. A tough defender, he stood out especially during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where Algeria reached the round of 16 for the first time. After spells at Watford, Trabzonspor and Orléans, he left a lasting mark with his deep commitment to the national team.

His testimony about Mahrez goes beyond a simple anecdote: it highlights the impact the current Fennecs captain has had on those who knew him from the very beginning. For Belkalem, it’s not just talent that defines Mahrez, but a conqueror’s mentality that has propelled Algeria to its greatest achievements.