Edouard Mendy reveals reasons behind Senegal retirement decision

Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has opened up about the reasons behind his decision to bring an end to his international career with the Teranga Lions.

The 34-year-old goalkeeper announced his retirement from international football just days ago, bringing the curtain down on a distinguished spell with Senegal during which he represented the country at major international tournaments and helped them secure two Africa Cup of Nations titles.

Speaking in an interview with RFI, Mendy revealed that the decision was not made suddenly, explaining that he had been thinking about his international future for several months.

“To be honest, I started thinking about it as early as the last Africa Cup of Nations, the one held in Morocco. From that moment on, I followed a logical and clear-headed process that led me to the conclusion that it was the right time to bring my international career to an end,” Mendy said.

Mendy leaves the Senegal national team having enjoyed a memorable international career. He had the privilege of featuring at two FIFA World Cups and participated in three and a half Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.

His first AFCON appearance came in 2019, although his campaign was cut short after he suffered a broken finger.

Despite that setback, Mendy went on to become an important figure for Senegal and played a significant role in their success on the continental stage. He was part of the team that won the Africa Cup of Nations and subsequently helped the national side maintain its status among Africa’s leading football nations.

Reflecting on his journey with the Teranga Lions, Mendy also spoke about his responsibilities beyond his performances on the pitch, particularly his role as one of the senior members of the squad.

“I’ve had the privilege of playing in two World Cups, taking part in three and a half Africa Cups of Nations, in the first one (2019), unfortunately, I broke my finger, winning two of them, embodying the role of the big brother, and helping to pass on the torch to prepare not only the current generation but also the next,” he added.

For Mendy, his decision was influenced by a combination of sporting considerations and family factors. After years of representing Senegal at the highest level, he felt the time had arrived to step away and allow the next phase of his life and career to begin.

“When you ask yourself all these questions, and add in family considerations, you realise it’s time to call it a day, to look in the mirror, and tell yourself that you’ve given it your all and that the mission has been accomplished,” Mendy said.

Mendy’s retirement brings an end to an important chapter of his career with Senegal, having served as both a key goalkeeper and one of the experienced figures within the national team setup.

His departure will now open the door for a new generation of goalkeepers to compete for a regular place in the Senegal squad as the Teranga Lions prepare for their upcoming international assignments.