Sadio Mané, the iconic captain of the Senegal national team, has formally stepped down from international duty, marking the conclusion of a legendary career that stands as one of the most illustrious in the history of African football. The 34-year-old forward confirmed his retirement shortly after Senegal was eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, bringing an end to an international journey that lasted over ten years.
Mané retires as a true icon for the Lions of Teranga, having been a driving force behind the nation’s emergence as a global football powerhouse. Most notably, he guided Senegal to their historic, maiden Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) victory in 2022, and subsequently captained them to a consecutive continental championship in 2025.
Having previously hinted that the 2026 World Cup would serve as his international swansong, Mané has now officially finalized that choice. Over his remarkable tenure with the national team, he accumulated more than 100 caps and netted countless critical goals. Beyond the statistics, his unwavering dedication, consistency, and leadership served as a powerful inspiration for an entire generation of young Senegalese athletes.
What did Sadio Mané say as he retires from International Football?
Reflecting on his journey, Mané extended his deepest appreciation to his teammates, coaching staff, and the Senegalese public, noting that wearing the national jersey was the ultimate privilege of his professional life.
He shared:
“I will support the young players until the World Cup, and after that, it will be over. I thank the Senegalese people. I’m very happy. I gave everything in this match because I knew it was my last here. Representing Senegal has been the greatest honour of my career, and I leave knowing I gave everything for my country.”
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