After Leo Messi, Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez might just have the best first-touch in football.
The winger was in action on Monday for Algeria against Botswana in their final AFCON qualifier.
Algeria had already qualified for the finals, but did not let up against their opponents at Stade Mustapha Tchaker, winning convincingly 5-0.
Mahrez got on the scoresheet via the penalty spot and also provided a couple of assists, but those things were not the reason lots of people were drooling over him on social media.
Yet again, the former Leicester City star showed his remarkable ability to deal with lofted passes like they are absolutely nothing.
BT Sport pundit Robbie Savage picked up on it not so long ago, believing Mahrez to be one of the best around when it comes to simply controlling a football.
It’s amazing to see the ease with which Mahrez can bring the ball down so smoothly.
Quite often, there isn’t even a bounce such is the perfection of the timing. The ball genuinely drops and sticks between studs and turf and without a sound.
On social media, fans have been lavishing praise on the 30-year-old for making a relatively difficult skill look so easy so often:
Your first touch is a joke, Riyad Mahrez!
— Agueroooooo (@Nhlaka_MG) March 29, 2021
No one I’ve seen has a better first touch/ball control than Riyad Mahrez in world football
— Daniel Udoaka (@d_udoaka) March 29, 2021
Mahrez playing amazing at the moment. His first touch is the best. His finishing brilliant too. What a player👏👏👏
— stephen andersen (@stephen14419694) March 29, 2021
The best first touch ….
— Toufik CHAFAI (@ToufikCHAFAI) March 29, 2021
Check his shoes for glue. Arrest that man for glueing the ball to his feet and for glueing the defender to the ground.
— IC 🇩🇿 (@AlgerianPapi) March 30, 2021
that touch is something else man. World class
— Djamel Eddine 🇩🇿 (@djamel360) March 29, 2021
I know this definitely ahead of everyone in epl when it comes to 1st touch
— it$_CO13A1N (@ThabisaniSiban2) March 29, 2021
