Riyad Mahrez Claps Back at Hater Over His Fitness Level

Social media is buzzing surrounding Riyad Mahrez. Recently, Algerian fans have been voicing concerns about his performance levels. Once a standout player, the Al-Ahli star in Saudi Arabia seems less impactful and physically explosive, leading some to question his inclusion in the national team under coach Vladimir Petkovic. A video has surfaced online showing Mahrez appearing exhausted after a physical test, with a coach in the background saying “13.4.” This has prompted criticism regarding his physical condition and raised eyebrows about his fitness levels.

In response, Mahrez took to his social media account to clarify the situation. He remarked, “Thanks, lol! That wasn’t even a VMA test; it was just a physical test (and by the way, a score of 13.4 isn’t even close to a child’s VMA). I might be getting older, but come on, Twitter experts, let’s be serious.” He further commented under a post stating, “I’ve been reading comments since yesterday about the ‘13.4’ from the speaker; I think it mostly pertains to Merih Demiral (who was behind). He had just begun his test, so that’s mainly it. They are professionals, and it’s nothing like what you did in school, guys, lol.”