Sunday, June 12, 2026 -Senegal captain and forward Sadio Mané has announced his retirement from international football following his country's 3-2 extra-time defeat to Belgium in the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 34-year-old Al-Nassr star confirmed his decision in a
statement published by Senegalese outlet Le Quotidien, bringing an end to a
distinguished 14-year international career. "Know that I sacrificed
everything for this flag," Mané said. "I gave the very best of myself
and I always fought fiercely for our homeland. Your constant support has been
the engine of my success."
While stepping away from playing for the national team, Mané
expressed his willingness to continue serving Senegal in a different capacity
in the future. "Tomorrow, I will gladly put my experience at the service
of the nation, whether within a technical staff, on the sidelines as a coach,
or in the governing bodies," he added.
Mané leaves as one of Senegal's greatest footballers, having
earned 132 international caps and scored 55 goals. He featured in all four of
Senegal's matches at the 2026 World Cup before the team's elimination by
Belgium after surrendering a two-goal lead.
During his international career, Mané helped Senegal win its
first-ever Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in 2022 and was twice named
African Footballer of the Year. He also represented the nation at multiple
major international tournaments, cementing his legacy as one of Africa's most
accomplished players.
At club level, Mané enjoyed a successful six-year spell at
Liverpool, where he made 196 appearances and scored 90 goals, winning the
Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup before joining
Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia. His retirement marks the end of an era for Senegal,
with the Lions of Teranga now expected to begin rebuilding around a younger
generation of players as they look ahead to future international competitions.
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