# Senegal's Star Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy Announces Retirement from International Football *Senegal's star goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has announced his retirement from international football after an illustrious career.* September 14, 2026 ยท Sports Senegal's star goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has announced his retirement from international football, marking the end of an eight-year career that saw him earn 59 caps and become a key player for the Lions of Teranga. Mendy, who turns 34 this year, shared his decision on social media, thanking Senegal in Wolof, the country's principal language, and posting a video montage of his greatest moments with the national team. ## A Stellar Career with the Lions of Teranga Mendy's journey with the Senegal national team began in 2018 when he was handed his international debut by then-coach Aliou Cisse. Born in France, Mendy quickly established himself as a crucial player, embodying Senegal's golden generation alongside captain Kalidou Koulibaly, Idrissa Gana Gueye, and superstar Sadio Mane. His standout performances helped Senegal win the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2021, defeating Egypt on penalties. Despite a controversial AFCON in 2022, where Senegal initially won 1-0 but was later stripped of the title by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and awarded to hosts Morocco, Mendy's contributions remained invaluable. The Court of Arbitration for Sport will hear Senegal's appeal on October 8, but Mendy's international career will not be a part of that chapter. ## Club Career and Legacy On the club front, Mendy has had an equally impressive career. He has played top-level football for several clubs, including Marseille, Reims, Rennes, and most notably, Chelsea, where he won the UEFA Champions League in 2021. Currently, he plays for Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia. His decision to retire from international duty allows him to focus solely on his club commitments. The Senegalese national team, now coached by Patrick Vieira, paid tribute to Mendy on their social media accounts, highlighting his impact beyond mere statistics. 'There are careers that are measured in caps, trophies, and statistics. And then there are those that are measured by the place they hold in the memory of a people. Edouard Mendy, your story with the Lions now belongs to that category,' they posted. Mendy's retirement marks the end of an era for Senegal, but his legacy will undoubtedly live on. His contributions to the national team and his club career have solidified his place as one of the greatest goalkeepers of his generation. ## Sources - BSS --- Source: https://pulsetoday.com.bd/en/sports/senegal-goalkeeper-mendy-retires-international-football