Riyad Mahrez, a 33-year-old Algerian, has frequently gone unnoticed in the constellation of stars that is the Saudi league. Superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, Neymar, Mitrovic, Mané, and Aubameyang have received most of the attention, so he is just another player amid the flash and glory. But Mahrez is currently becoming one of the most impressive performers in the AFC Champions this season in the Saudi Pro League.

Mahrez is now heading the charge for Al Ahli following a transitional debut season in which the team qualified for the AFC Champions but lost to Al Hilal in the domestic championship battle. His efforts in the Champions League have been especially impressive, as Matthias Jaissle’s team has had an absolutely faultless season. Impressive stats show Mahrez’s current form: he leads the club in assists and has significantly improved his goal total, scoring nine goals, which is just behind Ivan Toney’s fourteen. With 12 assists, Al Ahli’s number seven has also made a contribution. This form brings back memories of his best years in England, especially when he made history with Leicester City in 2016 and was at his best under Guardiola at Manchester City.

The Algerian has a great chance to show off his skills in the Saudi League’s 20th round star battle between Al Ahli and Al Nassr. In order to qualify for the 2018 AFC Champions, both teams are fighting for a berth in the top three. The King Abdullah Stadium in Jeddah, which has a fervent fan following that has discovered Mahrez as its new star, will surely be a flurry of activity when it welcomes Al Nassr.