Manchester City's Algerian striker Riyad Mahrez became the fifth African footballer in history to reach the 20-goal mark in Europe's top club competition by winning the first leg of the UEFA Champions League round of XNUMX against RB Leipzig. This information was reported by statistics portal OptaJoe on its Twitter account.
Before Mahrez, only four players representing the African continent had achieved this feat: Mohamed Salah (Egypt, 44 goals), Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast, 44), Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon, 30) and Sadio Mané (Senegal, 27).
It is worth noting that only Salah and Mane are currently active players. The Egyptian international plays for English club Liverpool, while the Senegalese forward represents German giants Bayern Munich.
Mahrez's impressive performances in the Champions League this season are testament to his prolific goalscoring ability and his crucial role in Manchester City's quest for European glory. The Algerian winger has been a key part of Pep Guardiola's side, delivering influential displays in both the Premier League and Champions League.
Reaching the 20-goal mark in the Champions League is a milestone for any player, and for Mahrez to achieve it as an African footballer is a remarkable achievement. It highlights the growing influence and talent of African players on the world stage and serves as an inspiration to young footballers on the continent.
The fact that Salah and Mane are the only two active African players among this elite group underlines the high standards set by these remarkable talents. Their success has paved the way for other African stars to follow in their footsteps and make their mark in European football’s most prestigious competition.
As the Champions League continues to captivate audiences around the world, the exploits of Mahrez and his fellow African goalscorers will undoubtedly inspire a new generation of footballers from the continent to aim for greatness on the biggest of stages.
