Hommam Al Nassim 
Algerian star Riyad Mahrez announced his response regarding his exclusion from his country’s national team roster to face Guinea and Uganda in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
In statements published on his account on the “X” platform, Mahrez confirmed that the decision not to participate came due to his knee injury, indicating that he preferred to rest to ensure his readiness for the upcoming matches.
Mahrez explained that it was important for him to be present in the matches, stressing at the same time his respect for the coach’s decisions.
The former Manchester City star added that he respects the coach’s decisions, while stressing the need to clarify the facts to the public about his situation.
Mahrez’s response comes after the Algerian national team’s coach, Vladimir Petkovic, announced his exclusion from the national roster, indicating that he had asked not to join the team and that he had not received any contact from him.
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