Edouard Mendy Retires From Senegal Duty After Talks With Patrick Vieira

Ex-Chelsea keeper Mendy quits Senegal after eight years

Former Chelsea and Senegal number one Edouard Mendy has called time on his eight-year international career after holding talks with new Lions of Teranga head coach Patrick Vieira, insisting his decision to quit was clean and backing Vieira’s Vision 2030 plan to help Senegal break the glass ceiling.

“We shouldn’t hide, our World Cup was a failure...”

The 34-year-old goalkeeper confirmed he had conversations with Vieira, Senegal’s newly appointed coach, prior to retiring from international duty.

The keeper stepped away from the national team three days ago, bringing an end to his impressive spell with the Lions of Teranga.

Mendy departs the national team as one of the most accomplished goalkeepers Senegal has produced, featuring heavily during a golden era for the Lions of Teranga.

Mendy cemented himself as Senegal’s No.1 and played a decisive role as the Lions of Teranga won their first Africa Cup of Nations title in Cameroon in 2021.

‘There’s A New Generation’

“I spoke with Patrick (Vieira) at length on the phone. We had a very good discussion where he was able to explain his project, his vision; I’m not surprised by him as a person or as a coach,” Mendy told RFI in an interview as quoted by Wiw Sport.

“I also explained my vision to him, the whys and wherefores. This led to a further period of reflection, out of respect for Patrick and for the role he wanted me to have within the national team.

“I took some time to think, and then I decided not to take part in this project, because I think it would have been a bit selfish of me to start something I wasn’t necessarily going to finish.

“There’s a new generation, a new cycle taking shape, starting with qualifying matches right away.

“For me, it was more honest to let this new group, and especially the goalkeepers, fully begin this competition from the first match and make their way to the next AFCON.”

Mendy denies rift forced Senegal exit

On whether the atmosphere in the Senegal camp after the 2026 FIFA World Cup influenced his retirement decision, Mendy replied: “Did that atmosphere influence my decision? No, not at all.”

“That’s why I told you that my reflection began in January, when we had just been crowned with our second continental title. So, there’s no direct link between my decision and the events of the World Cup.

“My decision is clean, well-considered, without any outside influence. It was important for me to choose my end with a clear head, with a clear mind. What I can say is that the team remained fully focused during the World Cup.

“Of course, some things came out in the media afterward, some true, some false. But my decision was not driven by those events. It was simply my time, my moment, and I chose it. That's the most important thing.”

Reflecting on Senegal's disappointing 2026 World Cup outing, the Al Ahli goalkeeper said: “We shouldn't hide from the truth: we need to take an honest look at our competition and conclude that it was a failure.”

“A failure considering the expectations, the quality of the squad, and the very good start to the year, culminating in a continental title in Morocco.

“As I’ve already said, when there’s a failure, it’s also the right time to learn from it and emerge stronger. I hope that’s what has been done.

Eduardo Mendy has officially retired from international football.

• 2× AFCON — 2021 & 2025
• AFCON 2021 Best Goalkeeper
• 59 international caps
• 31 clean sheets for Senegal
• 2026 Yashin Trophy finalist/nominee pic.twitter.com/3apejHwmSL

— Carol Radull (@CarolRadull) September 15, 2026

Mendy won the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations and was named the tournament's best goalkeeper after keeping a clean sheet in the final. He also reached another final with Senegal in 2025 and represented the country at the 2022 and 2026 FIFA World Cups.

“Now, we’re starting a new cycle. It’s up to us to put in place all the necessary ingredients to continue to be dominant on the continental stage, and to arrive at the 2030 World Cup - which must be the pinnacle of this new vision - in the best possible shape.”

Mendy backs Vieira's Vision 2030 plan

Mendy added: “With the new coach Patrick Vieira, there is this 'Vision 2030' to break this glass ceiling and go as far as possible. It was a bit sad to end in this way [getting injured and missing the rest of the World Cup], but that's football: these things happen.”

The 34-year-old made his Senegal debut in 2018 under Aliou Cisse and went on to earn 59 caps for the Lions of Teranga, conceding 34 goals and keeping 31 clean sheets.

At the 2019 AFCON in Egypt, Mendy started Senegal's opening two group games - a 2-0 win against Tanzania and a 1-0 loss to Algeria.

He was named in Pape Thiaw's 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Mendy's tournament was cut short in the second group match against Norway on June 22nd, when he was forced off in the second half with a knee injury and missed the remainder of the competition.