A major footballing nation on the African continent, Algeria remains a much-feared prospect thanks to renowned players such as Mustapha Dahleb, Rabah Madjer and Riyad Mahrez. The Fennecs have made and continue to make their mark on the continent. Among the multitude of great players that this country possesses, here are ten or so who stand out as the best in history.
Algeria has produced a wealth of footballing talent. Before winning the first African Cup in its history in 1990, the Algerians were already making their mark on Africa with generations of fine players, both at club level on the continent and beyond. Today, it is the band of Riyad Mahrez, Islam Slimani and Sofiane Feghouli who are perpetuating the greatness of the largest country bordering the Mediterranean and the largest in Africa. There are dozens of the best Algerian players.
From the 1980s to the current generation, a number of players have distinguished themselves through their achievements, their influence, their technique or their charisma. Here is a selection of the 10 best Algerian players in history, from 10th to 1st.
The ranking of the best players in history
10- Ali Bencheikh
Born in 1955, Ali Bencheikh was one of the architects of Algeria’s historic qualification for the 1982 World Cup. A former playmaker with MC Alger (a club where he spent most of his career), the former Algerian international (48 matches, 6 goals) won the 1978 All-Africa Games. His highest finish at the CAN was 4th place in 1982. Ali Bencheikh remains one of the best Algerian players in history?
9- Hacene Lalmas
Nicknamed ‘The Ram’, Hacene Lalmas is considered one of the greatest Algerian players of all time. A former player with OM Ruisseau and CR Belouizdad in Algeria, the striker played for the national team 42 times between 1963 and 1974, scoring 14 goals. A four-time Algerian champion with Belouizdad, he also won three Algerian Cups and was the country’s top scorer on five occasions. In 1993, he was voted best player of all time in a poll carried out by the sports weekly Echibek with over 350 votes from Algerian players and coaches.
8- Madjid Bougherra
A solid central defender, Madjid Bougherra played 70 times for Algeria and scored 4 goals. Now 41, he was one of the best centre-backs in African football and won six major trophies with Glasgow Rangers in Scotland. Bougherra was also the former captain of the Algerian national team at the 2010 World Cup and the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. Winner of the Algerian and Arab Golden Ball awards in 2009 and 2010, Bougherra has established himself as one of the best Algerian players of all time. Algerian football owes him a debt of gratitude.
7- Mustapha Dahleb
A left-winger and attacking midfielder, Mustapha Dahleb left his mark on the history of Paris Saint-Germain, where he played 310 games over ten seasons (1974 to 1984). The Algerian, born in Bejaia, scored 98 goals for the club in the French capital and won France Football’s award for the best foreign player in France in 1977. Having made 22 appearances for Algeria (scoring 6 goals) between 1971 and 1983, the player who ended his career with OGC Nice in 1985 was voted Fennec of the Century (GOAT) in 2001. Quite simply, he is an icon in the annals of African and Algerian football. We can’t forget him in this ranking of the best Algerian players of all time.
6- Islam Slimani
The current striker for Coritiba FC in Brazil cannot fail to feature in this list of the best players in Algeria’s history. A powerful and opportunistic centre-forward, Islam Slimani is the top scorer in the history of the Algerian national team, with 44 goals in 97 appearances. Winner of the 2019 CAF Africa Cup of Nations, he has established himself as one of Algeria’s key players. In his European career, Slimani has also won the Portuguese championship with Sporting Lisbon and the English Cup with Leicester City, and has also played for a number of European clubs.
5- Salah Assad
A fast, dribbling left winger, Salah Assad was one of the heroes of the 1982 World Cup, where he was named man of the match against Chile (beaten 3-2). Algeria’s joint top scorer at the World Cup, the former player of FC Mulhouse in France was a finalist at the 1980 African Cup of Nations, where he was the second best African player behind Cameroon’s Thomas Nkono. With 68 caps and 15 goals (1977-1989), Salah Assad has not stolen his place in this ranking.
4- Abdelhafid Tasfaout
An attacking midfielder and goalscorer, Abdelhafid Tasfaout is the second-highest scorer in the history of the Algerian national team, with 35 goals in 86 appearances. A former player with AJ Auxerre (1995-1997) and Guingamp (1997-2002), he took part in several African Cup of Nations tournaments, including 1992, 1998, 2000 and 2002. Tasfaout won the Algerian Golden Shoe in 1992 and 1993, and has also left his mark on his country’s footballing history.
3- Lakhdar Belloumi
Lakhdar Belloumi played 100 times for Algeria and scored 28 goals. Best African player in 1981, the former playmaker, who spent most of his career in his homeland, took part in two World Cups with Les Fennecs. A finalist at the 1980 African Cup of Nations, Belloumi led Les Fennecs to third place at the 1984 and 1988 editions. In Algeria, he remains one of the players who made history and is highly respected. He won the CAF Merit Award in 2008, and in 2009 was voted best player of the 20th century alongside Rabah Madjer. Without doubt, Belloumi has his place among the best Algerian players of all time.
2- Rabah Madjer
Yes, we can’t talk about the best without mentioning the ambidextrous former striker who made FC Porto’s days. A world-class player and unrivalled finisher, Rabah Madjer left his mark on the history of Algerian and world football with his exploits. He dazzled Europe when he won the European Champions League with FC Porto in 1987, scoring a memorable back-heel goal.
With three Portuguese league titles to his name (1986, 1988, 1990) and a host of other trophies to his name, Madjer made his mark on Algerian football by winning the 1990 CAF Africa Cup of Nations. Winner of the African Ballon d’Or in 1987, he finished second and third in the competition in 1985 and 1990 respectively. The player has a list of honours as long as your arm, and he could have finished in first place in this ranking of the best Algerian players of all time.
1- Riyad Mahrez
Last but not least, the current captain of the Algerian national team tops the list of Algeria’s all-time best players. With his magical left foot, Mahrez is the most successful and awarded Algerian player in history. He won the English Premier League title with Leicester City in 2016 and was voted the Premier League’s best player, before repeating the feat with Manchester City on four occasions. After winning the European Champions League last season, the current star of Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia finished 10th in the Ballon d’Or for 2019.
In Africa, he won the Ballon d’Or in 2016 and is close to winning the 2017 to 2019 editions. With the Algerian national team, Mahrez has 89 appearances to his name and 30 goals, with the African Cup of Nations in 2019 under his belt. At the next Africa Cup of Nations in 2023, he will be the star of the Fennecs. In any case, his impact on Algerian football is immense.
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