Riyad Mahrez

ANALYSIS
Mahrez arrives at what he has confirmed will be his final World Cup riding the best form of his later career, coming off a brilliant season at Al-Ahli in which he contributed eight goals and 15 assists across 44 appearances in all competitions while helping his side to back-to-back AFC Champions League titles. The former African Footballer of the Year is no longer the explosive dribbler who tormented Premier League defenses at his peak, but he remains Algeria's most experienced and most dangerous creative outlet, their primary set-piece and penalty taker, and the player opponents must account for whenever the ball stops. Across 114 appearances for Algeria he has contributed 38 goals and 44 assists, a combined return that illustrates a player who has always threatened both in front of goal and as a creator. He also delivered three goals in five AFCON appearances earlier this year, confirming his international sharpness has not faded, and with set pieces and penalties at his disposal his attacking output at this tournament could climb quickly if Algeria earn enough dead ball situations in the right areas of the pitch.