Algerian striker Riyad Mahrez did not remain without reaction to CAF’s choice not to award him the title of best player of the year.
Thursday morning, CAF communicated the list of three finalists for the title of best African player of the year 2023. To everyone’s surprise, and despite his European coronation with Manchester City, Riyad Mahrez does not appear there. The Algerian was preferred to the trio Salah, Osimhen and Hakimi.
Mahrez counterattacks
A month ago, in an interview with L’Equipe, Mahrez declared that this individual trophy was close to his heart. “In the game, I was a major player in the PL, FA Cup, a little less in the Champions League, but over the last few years, I have always been important in this competition. There is a form of logic in my being rewarded with this European title. Afterwards, I heard that we were also trying to push for Morocco’s goalkeeper, Bounou, it’s true that he won the Europa League, but hey, that’s in no way worth a historic treble with City. So we’ll see… he confided.
حتى رياض محرز رد على الكاف @caf_online_AR الفاسد بطريقته الخاصة بوضع ستوري عبر الإنستغرام يظهره فنياته وتتو يجاته وكأنه يقول للفاسدين لا أريد جائزتكم القذرة ياموتسيبي 🌶😉🌶 😉 pic.twitter.com/zqUxLO2kHt
— abd ennacer el bar/عبد الناصر البار (@nasronasro1988) December 7, 2023
Naturally, the Al-Ahli player had it bad when he learned he wasn’t even among the final three candidates. He then rushed to go to Instagram and post a meaningful photo of himself. We see him with the City jersey and his index finger on his mouth, as if saying “shut up!” “. It’s hard not to see a coded message to the leaders of African football.
Mahrez will therefore not go to Marrakech next Monday. He will have to be content with the only African title he has, the one won in 2016. Who knows? For the double, it may only be postponed until next year.
