Gary Lineker has claimed that Riyad Mahrez had a first touch on a similar level to Lionel Messi.
Troy Deeney has also previously stated that the former Manchester City winger had the best touch he has ever seen.
Since his time at Leicester City, one aspect of Riyad Mahrez’s technique that has always caught the eye is his first touch.
Often, how a player receives the ball is an insight into how technically equipped they are, with John Stones emphasising this very aspect of Phil Foden’s game as well.
Gary Lineker says Riyad Mahrez has a first touch as good as Lionel Messi
The most technical players, looking at both the past and present had a first touch that made them impossible to play against, since that would allow them to retain possession, beat their marker or evade a presser like not many players on the pitch.
Mahrez is one of the best examples of this theory, as his touch simply had so much variety to it that it made him such a difficult wide forward to defend against for left-backs.
Gary Lineker has lauded the way Riyad Mahrez receives the ball, likening it to a certain Lionel Messi on BBC Sounds’ Match of the Day: Top 10 when discussing the best-ever Premier League wingers.
“I’ve never seen, aside from people like [Diego] Maradona and [Lionel] Messi, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone bring the ball so cushion-like. It’s like the ball were a cushion and he’s just gone boom!”, he said.
Riyad Mahrez could do things with his first touch not many could
The fact that Gary Lineker has mentioned Riyad Mahrez in the same breath as Lionel Messi when it comes to his first touch just goes to show how much he has mastered one of the game’s most essential skills.
Where the Algerian legend’s touch was in a different stratosphere to many was how he could receive the ball in a manner that allowed him to instantly go for goal.
Most players take a touch and then proceed to focus on their next action.
Riyad Mahrez’s goal against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup last season is the finest example, as he cut inside with his first touch, completely bamboozling Andy Robertson before slotting the ball in the back of the net.
Similarly, in City’s 4-2 win against Tottenham in the 2022/2023 campaign, when a diagonal pass was played to Mahrez, he flicked the ball forward with his back leg, leaving Perisic for dead before going on to score an incredible solo goal.
Mahrez’s first touch was well and truly unique.
