Manchester City – Algeria: Rayan Cherki validates Mahrez

Europe 25 December 2025 at 05:00

Mahdi Zakaria LAZRI

News Editor

Rayan Cherki, Manchester City’s sensation this season, is no longer hiding his inspirations. Having delivered an impressive start to the campaign—with 4 goals and 7 assists in 18 games across all competitions, despite a two-month absence—the former Lyon prodigy openly admits to following in the footsteps of a very specific role model: Riyad Mahrez. Interviewed in a video by the Manchester club that pitted several African Premier League legends against each other, Cherki showed no hesitation. Up against names like Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto’o, his choice remained unwavering:

“Riyad Mahrez, technically, he is well above the rest.”

This statement goes beyond admiration: it establishes a footballing lineage. Mahrez, former Leicester captain and iconic figure for the Sky Blues, continues to inspire the new generation, even as he shines for Algeria at CAN 2025. Cherki, for his part, is steadily climbing and seems destined to embody the technical legacy left by the master.

A powerful recognition that reminds us some references go beyond statistics: they live in the moves, the elegance, and the vision. For Cherki, Mahrez remains the ultimate standard.

Read also: CAN 2025 / Algeria 3 - Sudan 0: Captain and goalscorer, Mahrez keeps a cool head

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