The highest-ranked midfielder in the 2016 Goal 50 says that, if he had one wish, he would bring the Argentine attacker to the King Power Stadium.

Riyad Mahrez admits that he would love Leicester City to sign Lionel Messi, even though he fears that the Barcelona ace would take his place in the team!

Mahrez finished seventh in Goal’s annual countdown of the world’s best players and was asked to name the one player he would like to see move to the King Power Stadium if money were no obstacle.

The Algerian winger plumped for the Argentine captain but conceded that having Messi around would make it difficult for him to retain his starting berth.

“I would say Messi but he will take my place!” Mahrez told Goal.

When it came to choosing his coach of the year, Mahrez was torn between the man who masterminded Leicester’s shock Premier League title success, Claudio Ranieri, and his fellow French-Algerian Zinedine Zidane, who led Real Madrid to an 11th European Cup win.

“In England, [the No.1] is our manager and, in the world, I would say Zidane because he won the Champions League,” he revealed.

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Mahrez was also asked for his top three players of 2016. He had no problem in naming his first two picks but encountered some difficulty in attempting to choose between two more Liga-based stars.

“I would say [Cristiano] Ronaldo, Messi and maybe [Antoine] Griezmann or [Luis] Suarez,” he said.

Mahrez enjoyed a stellar campaign as the Foxes won their first English title last term, with his record of 17 goals and 10 assists earning him the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award.

“It was a good achievement last season,” he stated. “I was happy to be voted the best player in the Premier League. I was proud and I was happy.”

Little was known or expected of the 25-year-old when he joined Leicester from French side Le Havre in the winter of 2014 for just £450,000 (€504,000) but he is now regarded as one of the most exciting attacking players on the planet.

It has been a remarkably rapid rise to prominence but Mahrez insists that he never doubted his ability to thrive at the highest level.

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“To be honest, I’ve always believed in myself,” he said. “You can’t see the future but I knew I could do some good things in football. This is one of my dreams. To do it as quick as last season, I’m not sure. Because of Leicester’s good season, everything came in the same moment.

“When I signed here, I knew it was going to be a good experience and I knew we had a good chance to get into the Premier League. I didn’t see my future but I felt it was the right club for me.”

Mahrez and strike partner Jamie Vardy recently committed themselves to long-term contracts at the King Power Stadium and the Sarcelles native is hoping that they can build upon their domestic success with a strong showing in the Champions League.

“Jamie had a fantastic season last season and I think he’s deserved everything,” Mahrez enthused. “It’s a good partnership. He’s a good player and he helps the team a lot. This season we haven’t been very good in the league but we know the goals will come.”



Leicester have won three of their four Champions League matches to date and are in a strong position to qualify from their group, knowing that a win at home to Club Brugge later this month will secure a place in the last 16.

“When I was younger I used to dream about this competition, and now I’m playing in it I’m very happy,” Mahrez admitted. “I’m enjoying every minute of the Champions League games. But I have to carry on in the Premier League as well because it’s one of the best leagues in the world.

“We just need to get through the group first and then we’ll see. There is a future with this team. We don’t know but we have to keep going and we will see.”

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Mahrez has not lost sight of his roots, though, and he celebrated Leicester’s title triumph by visiting the birthplace of his Algerian father over the summer, confessing that the level of attention in Beni Snous left him flabbergasted.

“I just wanted to relax – I always go there for a week or 10 days every year, but it was crazy,” he said. “I didn’t have chance to relax at all, but that’s OK.

“They are very happy. They want to speak with you and have a picture with you, and it’s everyone. It’s not just a few people. It’s good and I’m pleased with making them happy.

“I went as well on some good holidays, but I used to go every year with my dad and I don’t forget these moments. I have to go back to see my family.”


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