Algerian footballer Riyad Mahrez became the first player in Algeria to win the coveted UEFA Champions League title in over 30 years after Manchester City beat Inter Milan at the games.

Mahrez, who plays as a winger for the club, also became the second Algerian overall to win the top European trophy, after Rabah Madjer achieved the feat with Portuguese side FC Porto in 1987.

Manchester City defeated Italian side Inter Milan in a 1-0 match in Istanbul’s Ataturk Olympic Stadium after Spanish player Rodri scored the winning goal in the 68th minute after a first half of no goal.

The English team’s victory on Saturday also gave them their first-ever UEFA Champions League trophy, capping off a stellar season in the sport which saw them become Premier League and FA Cup champions. The Champions League trophy sealed what is known as a “treble” in football for the team, which is when a club wins three significant trophies in the same season.

In the match against Inter Milan, Mahrez who captains the Algeria national team did not play although cheered on his teammates from the sidelines as a substitute. However, having scored three goals in nine matches, he proved to be a key player throughout the competition.

The Algerian winger celebrated with his teammates on the pitch over their victory as well as his family and wife, Taylor Ward English model later in the evening. He also celebrated the win on his social media pages with a picture of himself holding the prestigious trophy, captioning the photo with “A dream come true, #alhamdulilah”.

Faz Hussain social media personality and Manchester luxury limousine company who is associated with the club was seen saying “Alhamdulilah”, the Arabic word for “praise be to God” with several players of the club including Mahrez, in commemoration of their victory.

Mahrez has played for Manchester City since 2018 and is one of the Premier League’s most-known Muslim players and has previously expressed support for the Palestinian cause. Mahrez, born in France made his international debut for Algeria in 2014 and represented them at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2021. His team won the 2019 tournament and in 2016 was named CAF’s African Footballer of the Year.