The 28-year-old led the Desert Foxes to a second AFCON title and in a recent interview his national team boss praised his impact throughout the campaign.
Elsewhere in the media, Phil Foden’s fledgling career has been compared to David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne when they were the same age as the Stockport-born midfielder.
So, let’s take a look...
From the managers
FIFA: Belmadi: Algeria must fight to reach the World Cup
“Riyad performed the role of captain with great elegance. He was a very effective member of the team and vitally important in building attacks.
“He scored and was always present at the difficult times. What we saw was a star who deserves all the plaudits.
“Everyone was waiting to see Mahrez playing against Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, and Riyad was there when needed and lived up to expectations.”
Opinion
Manchester Evening News: City star Phil Foden compares to Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva at the same age
Writes Stuart Brennan: “So exactly where is Foden, aged 19 years and 139 days old, compared to the two legends with whom he is competing, Silva and De Bruyne?
“When Silva was that age, he had been farmed out on loan to Eibar in the Spanish second division – partly because he was not good enough, and partly because he was not big enough, to make the Valencia first team.
“He had not made a single top-flight appearance, while Foden has already got 15 starts and 25 substitute appearances tucked under his belt.
“It would be another 18 months before Silva was to earn his first international cap.
“From the comments made by Southgate and others in the England camp, Foden may well have a handful of caps by the time he reaches the same age as Silva was for his international debut.”
