Ismaël Bennacer vs Riyad Mahrez
Algeria against Algeria. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Ismaël Bennacer
Algeria · 2019–22 · CM
- Almanac rating
- 85
- Rank in Algeria
- #6 of 33
- Clubs
- AC Arles, Arsenal, Tours
Inside the opening two minutes of the 2019 final against Senegal, Bennacer played the pass that Baghdad Bounedjah turned into the only goal, one of three assists he provided in Egypt at the age of twenty-one. He left that tournament as its best player and best young player with the Africa Cup of Nations won, and he later became the first Algerian to win the Scudetto, taking Serie A with Milan in 2022. Career record: club career at AC Arles, Arsenal, Tours.
Riyad Mahrez
Algeria · 2016–23 · RM
- Almanac rating
- 90
- Rank in Algeria
- #2 of 33
- Caps
- 120 · 40 goals
- Clubs
- Leicester City, Manchester City, Al Ahli
- Honours
- national Player of the Year 2016 · Hall of Fame 2019
Nigeria built a wall and laid a man on the grass behind it in the fifth minute of stoppage time in the 2019 semi-final, and Mahrez curled the free kick over both into the top corner. Algeria won that Africa Cup of Nations, and he collected five English league titles, one with Leicester in 2016 and four at Manchester City, the 2023 Champions League, and African Footballer of the Year in 2016. Career record: 120 caps and 40 goals for Algeria; club career at Leicester City, Manchester City, Al Ahli; honours include national Player of the Year 2016, Hall of Fame 2019.
The verdict
The almanac puts Riyad Mahrez ahead by 5 rating points, 90 against 85.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.