Edouard Mendy has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 34, bringing the curtain down on an accomplished career with Senegal.
The former Chelsea goalkeeper confirmed his decision on Saturday through a video posted on Instagram, accompanied by a simple message: “Thank you, Senegal.”
The video featured highlights from Mendy’s journey with the national team, where he became one of the most important goalkeepers in the country’s history.
A key figure in Senegal’s golden era
Mendy was part of the Senegal side that won the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, securing the country’s first-ever continental title.
He was particularly influential during the tournament, keeping a clean sheet in the final and being named the competition’s best goalkeeper.
The goalkeeper had already helped Senegal reach the AFCON final in 2019, although they lost 1-0 to Algeria.
Mendy made his Senegal debut in 2018 under former head coach Aliou Cissé and went on to make 59 appearances for the Lions of Teranga.
During that period, he conceded just 34 goals and recorded 31 clean sheets, underlining his importance to the national team.
World Cup memories
Mendy also represented Senegal at two FIFA World Cups.
He started every match at the 2022 tournament in Qatar as Senegal reached the round of 16, their best performance at the competition since their famous quarter-final run in 2002.
He was subsequently selected for Senegal’s 2026 World Cup squad but was unable to complete the tournament after suffering a knee injury during the second-half of the team’s group-stage match against Norway on June 22.
Mendy was substituted and did not feature again during the competition.
From Chelsea glory to Saudi Arabia
Mendy’s international achievements were matched by an impressive club career.
After establishing himself as Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper, he helped the Premier League giants win the UEFA Champions League in 2021.
During his debut season at Stamford Bridge, he kept 16 Premier League clean sheets and equalled the record for most clean sheets in a Champions League campaign with nine.
He also kept a clean sheet in the Champions League final as Chelsea defeated Manchester City to lift the trophy.
His performances earned him both the UEFA Goalkeeper of the Year award and The Best FIFA Goalkeeper award in 2021, making him the first African goalkeeper to win both honours.
Mendy later continued his career in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ahli, adding another chapter to an already decorated journey.
A lasting legacy with Senegal
Mendy’s retirement brings an end to one of the most successful international careers by a Senegalese goalkeeper.
From reaching the 2019 AFCON final to winning the country’s first continental title two years later and featuring at two World Cups, he played a central role during Senegal’s rise to the top of African football.
The Lions of Teranga must now begin preparing for life without one of the most accomplished goalkeepers of their golden generation.
