Former Senegal star Cheikhou Kouyate retires, reveals secret heart battle

Former Senegal international Cheikhou Kouyate has announced his retirement from professional football, revealing that he played with a congenital heart condition throughout his career, including his decade-long spell in the English Premier League.

The 36-year-old midfielder disclosed that he had been living with the condition since birth but kept it secret from his family and Senegal’s national team doctors because he feared being forced to retire prematurely.

Kouyate made 296 Premier League appearances during his career, representing West Ham United, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest. Despite the health concern, he continued to compete at the highest level while undergoing regular medical examinations in England.

“I suffered from this heart problem since birth. I played with it,” Kouyate revealed.

He explained that the condition was monitored every six months during his time in England, with medical checks conducted at each of his Premier League clubs. However, the problem continued to appear during the examinations.

“In England, it was monitored every six months. I had medical check-ups at West Ham, Crystal Palace, and Nottingham Forest. Every time I had the tests, the problem reappeared,” he said.

Kouyate added that doctors had repeatedly made him aware of the condition, but he chose to continue playing and accepted personal responsibility for the risks involved.

“The doctors always pointed out the problem to me, but I took responsibility myself. I signed the insurance papers stating that anything that might happen to me would be my responsibility,” he added.

The former Senegal captain also described the physical discomfort he experienced during matches, explaining that playing in hot conditions or at high altitude could trigger pain.

“The problem is at high altitude. If I play in the heat, it hurts terribly, during and after matches. It feels like a side stitch for about five minutes, and then it goes away,” he said.

According to Kouyate, the pain was sometimes followed by severe cramps after matches, although the symptoms usually disappeared within 24 hours.

Despite the recurring discomfort, he chose not to disclose his condition to his family or the medical team of the Senegal national team, fearing that revealing the problem could bring his playing career to an early end.

“I never said anything. I didn’t want to be forced to stop early. I never told my family, not even the national team doctors. They didn’t know about my problem,” he revealed.

Kouyate enjoyed a lengthy career in European football, earning recognition for his strength, versatility and leadership in midfield. He also represented Senegal at international level, becoming an important figure for the national team.

His retirement brings an end to a career in which he continued to perform despite a serious health concern that he had kept private for years. His revelation has also shed light on the personal risks he says he accepted to remain active in professional football.