Ten days ago, Edouard Mendy announced his retirement from the Senegal national team, thus following in the footsteps of Sadio Mane, who had done the same after the 2026 World Cup.In an interview with The Guardian, the former Chelsea goalkeeper touched on a difficult decision he had made, but also on the much-discussed and controversial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, which Senegal won on the pitch, beating hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time, only to lose the title two months later on administrative grounds – being stripped of it and handed a 3-0 defeat by an official CAF ruling.But first – the retirement.Another Senegal legend calls it a day: Mendy announces international retirementThe departure of the two icons is undoubtedly the end of an era for the Lions of Teranga, but life goes on. Patrick Vieira was appointed as the new head coach, sparking optimism and excitement among Senegalese fans.Even Mendy was uncertain of his decision to call time on his national team career when the legendary Frenchman arrived. Still, he eventually opted to stick to it."He [Vieira] is a legend so to have the chance to work with him was really something that came into my mind." Vieira's first Senegal squad: Adjusting to life without Mane"But at the end of the call I asked for some time to really think about everything. A couple of days later I called him and explained that I wanted to stick to my decision. I started thinking about it after the Afcon and I just came to the conclusion that it was my time to say stop."It wasn't hard to notice that the trophy match played on January 18 in Rabat still lived on in Mendy's mind.In his eyes, the Lions of Teranga won their second AFCON title fair and square."The only thing we have to remember is that the game went to the end. We went off the pitch but the game restarted."Edouard Mendy 🧤 has expressed his gratitude for winning two AFCON titles out of three participations 🇸🇳🏆 pic.twitter.com/BSSdYJ4D8o— Vuvuzela.foot (@vvzfoot) September 21, 2026 "For me there is no issue because the final was completed – we were given the trophy and celebrated in our country. That was it." "When you speak to me about the Afcon, I just simply tell you that: ‘Yes, we have won it twice.’ That’s nothing against the Moroccan people or anyone else. It’s just how we feel. I’m not a lawyer but it’s just common sense. You can’t change something that has already been decided."Either way, Mendy was one of the nation's heroes, alongside Sadio Mane, who convinced his teammates and staff to return to the pitch, and Pape Gueye, who scored what could have been the extra-time winner.Regragui criticizes Thiaw over AFCON finalHowever, nothing of that would have happened if the 34-year-old hadn't denied Brahim Diaz's stoppage-time penalty – or, better said, the Moroccan's poor Panenka attempt."I had to stay patient and try to have a cool head because everywhere else there was fire.""I realised two steps before he shot … usually when a player does a Panenka they slow down for the last step, but I noticed he did it early.""I know his preferred side is on the right. But when I saw him slow down way before, I just stood up and managed to catch the ball."Mendy stops Diaz's penalty in the 2025 AFCON final (©AFP)In the end, Senegal's heroics were in vain, as the title was awarded to Morocco, but no one can take away the feeling of that night from the Lions of Teranga's players, and Mendy remembers it really well. Just as vividly, he recalls the triumph in the 2021 AFCON final against Egypt – his only (official) national team trophy."To win for your club is something really incredible. But you cannot compare with winning for your country, especially when they have never won anything before. It happens only once in your life so being part of the team that made history was amazing."17.30: (2.05) Iraq (3.30) Oman (3.45)And even though he's won seven trophies throughout his illustrious club career – including both UEFA and AFC Champions Leagues, with Chelsea and Al-Ahli, respectively – none of them can match the one he won with Senegal."[Winning Afcon] was the best moment of my football career: it was 10 times better [than the Champions League]. I can compare now because I’ve also won the Asian Champions League twice," Mendy concluded.A true patriot, Senegalese and African through and through. Enjoy your retirement, Edouard. You left your mark.
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