Despite being sidelined by injury since October, Jean Michaël Seri remains committed to his international career and has no plans to walk away from the Ivory Coast national team.
Omitted from Emerse Faé’s squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Burundi and Gambia, the 33-year-old midfielder, currently playing for Al-Orobah in Saudi Arabia, has reaffirmed his determination to continue representing the Elephants.
Focused on the Future
Seri, a key figure in Ivory Coast’s triumphant 2024 Africa Cup of Nations campaign, is already setting his sights on further success.
With the 2025 tournament on the horizon, he is eager to help the Elephants achieve back-to-back titles, a feat that few teams have managed in the competition’s history. However, he warns against complacency.
“Nothing is impossible, but we must erase our past victory and start afresh,” Seri said. “If we rest on our laurels, we will make a mistake.
We saw it happen in 2017 after our 2015 title, just as Algeria struggled after winning in 2019. We have to turn the page and focus on the next challenge.”
The midfielder also identified Morocco, the hosts of the 2025 AFCON, as one of the strongest teams in the competition.
“They look very well-prepared to me. But if we stay focused, we have a real chance,” he added. In addition to Morocco, Seri sees Senegal, Egypt, and Nigeria as serious threats to Ivory Coast’s title defense.
No Plans for International Retirement
While several players from Ivory Coast’s 2015 AFCON-winning squad have stepped away from international duty, Seri has made it clear that he has no immediate plans to follow suit.
“I can’t say when I’ll stop,” he stated. “As long as I feel physically good and the coach still relies on me, I will continue.”
Seri pointed to his former Nice teammate Dante, who remains active at the top level at 41, as an example of longevity in football.
“If you take care of yourself, you can keep playing for a long time. You shouldn’t set limits on yourself,” he said.
The Next Ivorian Star?
When asked about the next Ivorian player capable of winning the African Ballon d’Or, Seri remained reserved. He acknowledged that in the past, standout individuals such as Didier Drogba and Yaya Touré led the way, but today, the team’s strength lies in its collective unity.
“A player would have to have an exceptional season with his club and shine for the national team to have a real chance of winning that title,” he explained.
At 33, Seri is not ready to step away from the international stage. He remains determined to play a key role in Ivory Coast’s future success and continue representing his nation at the highest level.
