Has Riyad Mahrez retired from football?

Leicester City star Riyad Mahrez appears to have been the latest victim of online hacking after a Facebook post claimed he was leaving football.

A post emerged via Mahrez's verified Facebook page late on Tuesday, suggesting the Algeria international was retiring.

A picture of Mahrez was uploaded to the popular social media platform, with an accompanying caption, which read: "After the last consultation with many doctors, I've decided to stay away from football," the post read.

"As my time as a football player comes to an end, I would like to say few words.

"I want to thank everybody for the kindness and support they have shown me in this incredible city. You will be always in my heart."

However, many believed that the post may have been a hoax or some form of hack, with the Leicester City man understood to have trained with the Premier League side as normal on Tuesday and no further comment coming from neither the player nor club on social media.

The Facebook post was the only mention of the "retirement" across all of Mahrez's social media accounts, though a handful of freelance journalists were quick to "confirm" the news.

It was Mahrez's first Facebook post since February 24, when the Algerian wrote: "Ready to play #LCFC #premierleague #kingpowerstadium."

 

7 March 2018

And only five hours earlier on Tuesday via Twitter, Mahrez retweeted a video from Leicester City, which showed him scoring against Bournemouth in the Premier League, while he tweeted "never give up" on March 4.

Mahrez saw a deadline-day move to Premier League champions-elect Manchester City fall through in January and the 27-year-old was absent from Leicester for 10 days.