Historic AFCON winner and former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has officially called time on his international career with Senegal, closing a remarkable eight-year chapter between the posts for the Teranga Lions.
Mendy, who made his debut for Senegal in 2018, earned 59 international caps and served as a crucial pillar during the most successful era in the nation’s footballing history.
His crowning moment on the international stage came at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon before he put up yet another thrilling performance in the 2025 AFCON tournament.
Mendy played a pivotal role throughout the tournament, capping off a dominant campaign by helping Senegal defeat Egypt on penalties in a tense final to secure their first-ever continental title. His brilliant performances earned him the tournament’s Best Goalkeeper award.
Mendy’s AFCON legacy extended well beyond 2021. He was part of the squad that reached the 2019 final in Egypt, before returning to the tournament’s decider six years later in 2025.
Senegal faced hosts Morocco, a match whose initial outcome was subsequently overturned by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following controversial events surrounding the fixture.
On the global stage, Mendy represented Senegal at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and remained a key fixture in the national team setup during their qualification campaign for the 2026 World Cup across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Mendy’s retirement marks the end of an era that coincided with Senegal’s rise as one of Africa’s premier football powerhouses.
From his debut to a historic AFCON victory and two World Cup campaigns, his contributions firmly solidify his legacy as one of Senegal’s all-time sporting greats.
