Riyad Mahrez is one of the most technically gifted footballers of his generation. Whether you are a long-time fan, a fantasy football enthusiast, or simply curious about where this Algerian maestro plays on the pitch, this article covers everything about Riyad Mahrez’s position — from his early career to his current role at Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League in 2026.
What Position Does Riyad Mahrez Play?
Riyad Mahrez plays as a right winger. He is an attacking wide player who operates predominantly on the right flank, using his explosive dribbling, silky footwork, and pinpoint left foot to create chances and score goals. While he is classified as a forward in some systems, his natural home is wide on the right side of the attack.
According to FBref, Mahrez’s position is listed as FW-MF (AM-WM, right), meaning he operates both as an attacking midfielder and a wide midfielder on the right side — reflecting the fluid, versatile nature of his role.
Why Does a Right Winger Use His Left Foot?
One of the most defining characteristics of Mahrez’s position is his inverted winger style. He starts on the right side but cuts inside onto his stronger left foot, allowing him to shoot at goal or thread passes through tight defenses. This tactic — common among elite wingers like Arjen Robben and Mohamed Salah — makes him far more dangerous than a traditional right-footed winger.
Mahrez’s preferred foot is his left, and he carries five skill moves and four-star weak foot ratings, underlining his technical mastery on the ball.
Riyad Mahrez’s Current Club and Position in 2026
Mahrez currently plays for Al-Ahli, wearing the iconic number 7 shirt, a jersey traditionally reserved for great right wingers.
He joined Al-Ahli on 28 July 2023 and his contract runs until 30 June 2027. In Saudi Arabia, Mahrez has seamlessly adapted his right-wing role to the Saudi Pro League, remaining one of the most exciting and effective wide forwards in the division.
2025–26 Season Stats at Al-Ahli
In the 2025–26 Saudi Pro League season, Mahrez has made 27 appearances, contributing 4 goals and 8 assists, with 1 yellow card and no red cards.
His total goals + assists (G/A) tally stands at 12 for the season, with a goal involvement rate of 0.47 per 90 minutes — placing him among the most productive wide forwards in the Saudi Pro League.
Riyad Mahrez’s Position History: From Le Havre to Manchester City
Understanding Mahrez’s current position requires looking at how his role evolved throughout his career.
Early Career: Le Havre and Leicester City
Mahrez began his professional journey in France before making the move to England. At Leicester City, his right-wing play became world-famous during the club’s miraculous 2015–16 Premier League title win — one of the greatest sporting upsets of all time. Playing on the right side of a compact 4-4-2 formation, Mahrez drifted inside and terrorised defenders with his unpredictability.
His performances earned him the prestigious 2016 African Footballer of the Year award and the 2015–16 PFA Players’ Player of the Year honour — a remarkable recognition of his brilliance from his fellow professionals.
Manchester City: The Pep Guardiola System
At Manchester City, under Pep Guardiola, Mahrez’s positional role became even more refined. Playing as a right winger within Guardiola’s sophisticated tactical system, he was used as a wide attacker who combined deep runs, underlapping movements, and long-range shooting. He became a key rotation player and, in his peak years, an undisputed starter.
His time at City was decorated with five Premier League titles and a historic 2022–23 UEFA Champions League winners’ medal as part of a continental treble.
During his final season at Manchester City in 2022–23, Mahrez earned £160,000 per week, reflecting his stature as one of the Premier League’s elite wide forwards.
Riyad Mahrez’s Position in the Algeria National Team
Mahrez captains the Algeria national team and is regarded as one of the best African players of all time.
He has earned 113 caps for Algeria, scoring 38 international goals — a remarkable return for a wide player, which again underlines how his inverted right-wing role translates into goals at the highest level.
For Algeria, Mahrez typically plays in the same right-wing role, often given the freedom to roam and influence games from wide areas, coming inside to shoot or play through the lines.
What Makes Riyad Mahrez’s Position Unique?
Several factors make Mahrez stand out as a right winger:
- Inverted Play: Operating from the right flank, he cuts inward on his left foot to shoot or create — making him a constant goal threat directly from his wide position.
- Dribbling Excellence: His close control and ability to beat defenders in tight spaces make him nearly unplayable on his day.
- Creativity: His 8 assists in the 2025–26 season alone demonstrate that he remains a world-class creator even at 35 years of age.
- Set Piece Specialist: Mahrez has long been one of the most dangerous dead-ball specialists in world football, with his left-footed delivery a constant threat from corners and free kicks.
- Versatility: While his best position is right wing, he can also operate as an attacking midfielder or left winger when required.
Riyad Mahrez: Age and Longevity at the Top
Born on 21 February 1991 in Clichy, France, Mahrez is 35 years old as of 2026. Despite his age, he continues to be a first-team regular for Al-Ahli — a testament to his fitness, technical quality, and footballing intelligence.
His contract with Al-Ahli is valued at an estimated gross salary of €52,200,000 per year, making him one of the highest-paid wide forwards in the world.
Riyad Mahrez vs Traditional Right Wingers
It is worth noting that Mahrez is not a traditional right winger in the old-fashioned sense. He does not hug the touchline and deliver crosses. Instead, he is a modern, intelligent inverted winger who:
- Drifts inward to open up shooting angles
- Combines with central midfielders in tight spaces
- Uses feints and step-overs to create space
- Arrives late into the penalty area as a second striker
This profile makes him especially valuable in possession-based systems and explains why coaches like Pep Guardiola and his Al-Ahli managers have trusted him in high-profile roles.
Quick Profile: Riyad Mahrez
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Riyad Karim Mahrez |
| Date of Birth | 21 February 1991 |
| Nationality | Algerian |
| Current Club | Al-Ahli (Saudi Arabia) |
| Position | Right Winger / Forward |
| Shirt Number | 7 |
| Preferred Foot | Left |
| Height | 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in) |
| International Caps | 113 |
| International Goals | 38 |
Conclusion
Riyad Mahrez’s position as a right winger — more precisely an inverted right winger — has defined his career and legacy. From the streets of Sarcelles to the Premier League and now the Saudi Pro League, he has mastered the art of playing wide on the right, cutting inside, and making defences tremble. At 35, he remains one of the most watchable and effective wide forwards in world football.
Whether you’re watching him for the first time or following every match — drop a comment below with your thoughts on Mahrez, and stay updated for the latest news on his journey at Al-Ahli!