El Hadj Ba ends 25 year football career with retirement announcement

Mauritania international El Hadj Ba has officially announced his retirement from football after a career spanning more than 25 years.

Ba began playing football at the age of six with CSL Aulnay before building a professional career that took him across several European clubs and eventually back to Mauritania.

The midfielder played for a number of well-known clubs during his career, including Le Havre, Sunderland, Lens and Sochaux. He later finished his playing career with FC Nouadhibou.

Before choosing to represent Mauritania at senior level, Ba was involved with France’s youth national teams. He played for the French U18, U19 and U20 sides during the early stages of his career.

He eventually decided to follow his Mauritanian roots and represent the Mourabitounes at international level.

In his farewell message, Ba thanked Mauritania Football Federation president Ahmed Yahya for the trust he placed in him and for giving him the opportunity to represent the national team.

The midfielder also expressed his appreciation to the people who supported him throughout his career as he brought his time on the pitch to a close.

Ba paid tribute to his family, coaches and team-mates, acknowledging their role in helping him achieve the ambition he had held since childhood.

His retirement marks the end of a playing career that began when he was a young boy and continued for more than two decades.

From his early days at CSL Aulnay to spells with clubs including Le Havre, Sunderland, Lens and Sochaux, Ba experienced football in several different environments before returning to his country and joining FC Nouadhibou.

His international career with Mauritania added another chapter to that journey after previously representing France at youth level.

The midfielder’s decision to retire comes after more than 25 years in the game, but he has made clear that his connection with football will continue.

Rather than viewing retirement as a complete departure from the sport, Ba described the decision as the beginning of a new chapter.

After hanging up his boots, the former Mauritania international leaves the playing side of the game with gratitude for the people who helped him reach the highest level.

His journey from starting football at six to representing the Mourabitounes at international level has now come to an end, but his relationship with the sport remains intact.