Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has brought his international career to an end, drawing the curtain on an eight-year spell that saw him become a key figure in one of the most successful generations in the country’s football history.
The 34-year-old announced his retirement on Sunday through his social media accounts, posting a video montage of his major moments with the national team alongside the message, “Jerejef (Thank you) Senegal,” in Wolof.
Mendy earned 59 caps for the Lions of Teranga after making his international debut under Aliou Cisse in 2018. His career with Senegal included major tournament triumphs and appearances at two World Cups.
One of the highlights came at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, where Senegal defeated Egypt on penalties to claim the continental title. Mendy was also part of the squad that featured at the most recent tournament, where Senegal initially won the final 1-0 on the pitch before the Confederation of African Football later awarded the title to hosts Morocco.
Senegal has appealed that decision, with the Court of Arbitration for Sport scheduled to hear the case on October 8.
Mendy also represented Senegal at the 2022 World Cup and remained part of the national setup for the 2026 tournament in the United States. Their campaign ended in the round of 16 following a 3-2 defeat to Belgium.
Born in France, Mendy developed through French club football, with spells at Marseille, Reims and Rennes before establishing himself at Chelsea. He currently plays for Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli.
Alongside captain Kalidou Koulibaly, Idrissa Gana Gueye and Sadio Mane, Mendy was among the players who defined Senegal’s golden era, helping establish the Lions as one of Africa’s leading football nations.
The national team, now coached by former France and Manchester City midfielder Patrick Vieira, paid tribute to Mendy following his announcement.
“There are careers that are measured in caps, trophies and statistics,” Senegal said on social media. “And then there are those that are measured by the place they hold in the memory of a people.”
The team added that Mendy’s story with the Lions “now belongs to that category”, recognising the goalkeeper’s contribution to a generation that delivered Senegal’s long-awaited continental success and competed on football’s biggest international stages.
