Senegal FA pays emotional tribute to Édouard Mendy after international retirement

The Senegal Football Federation has paid an emotional tribute to Édouard Mendy following the goalkeeper’s decision to retire from international football.

The 34-year-old announced on Sunday, September 13, that he was ending his career with the Lions of Teranga after an outstanding spell with the national team.

Mendy made 59 appearances for Senegal, playing a key role in one of the most successful periods in the country’s football history.

His biggest achievement came when Senegal won their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations title, with Mendy playing an important role as the Lions of Teranga finally conquered Africa.

He was also part of Senegal’s campaigns at the 2022 and 2026 FIFA World Cups and featured in a second Africa Cup of Nations final, against Morocco on January 18.

Following his retirement announcement, the Senegal Football Federation celebrated Mendy’s contribution to the national team, stressing that his legacy cannot be measured only by the number of appearances or trophies he won.

“There are careers that are measured in caps, trophies and statistics. And then there are those that are measured by the place they hold in a nation’s memory,” the federation said.

“Édouard Mendy, your history with the Lions now belongs to that category. You have defended Senegal’s goal in the matches that mattered, and you have played a major part in making our first stars shine on the Lions’ shirt.

“Thank you very much, Gaïndé, on behalf of Senegal. And best wishes for the rest of your magnificent career, which is already glorious.”

Mendy leaves the national team as a celebrated member of Senegal’s golden generation, having helped the country secure its maiden AFCON crown and compete on football’s biggest stage.

His departure now brings the curtain down on a memorable international career that saw him become one of the key figures in Senegal’s rise to continental prominence.