Sadio Mané announces international retirement from Senegal national team
via SeneNews2 min read
Sadio Mané, the iconic Senegalese forward and two-time African Player of the Year, has announced his retirement from international football. This decision, confirmed in a statement seen by Le Quotidien, follows the Lions' elimination from the 2026 World Cup. The announcement has been met with disbelief and an outpouring of emotion from fans on social media, with many expressing shock and gratitude for his contributions. Mané is considered more than just a player; he symbolizes a victorious generation for Senegal. His legacy includes leading Senegal to their first Africa Cup of Nations CAN title in 2021 played in 2022, scoring the decisive penalty in the final against Egypt. He also guided the Lions to a second consecutive CAN victory in 2025 in Morocco, solidifying Senegal's dominance in African football. Mané is the first Senegalese player to win the African Player of the Year award twice, following El Hadji Diouf. He also contributed to memorable World Cup qualifications and victories. Beyond his on-field achievements, Mané has been an exceptional ambassador for Senegal, embodying humility, social commitment, and patriotism, which has brought pride and visibility to the nation internationally. He instilled a collective belief that Senegal could compete with the best teams globally. Although Mané had hinted during the CAN in Morocco that it would be his last, many fans did not believe it, finding the idea of a national team without him inconceivable. His departure leaves an
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by SeneNews.
Senegalese football star Sadio Mané has not announced his international retirement, despite widespread rumors on social media. Viral messages suggesting his retirement after Senegal's elimination from the 2026 World Cup are unconfirmed. According to Sport News Africa, the alleged statement attributed to Mané was generated by artificial intelligence and did not come from him. Journalist Malang Sané, citing sources close to the player, denied the authenticity of the circulating message. Neither Sadio Mané nor the Senegalese Football Federation has officially confirmed any international retirement. The publications announcing his departure are based on viral messages whose authenticity has not been established. Mané's international future remains officially unchanged, with no statement from the player or his official entourage confirming a retirement. This clarification comes amid various rumors surrounding the national team following their elimination against Belgium, fueling discussions about the future of key players in the Senegalese squad.
Morocco was eliminated from the World Cup quarter-finals by France, with Didier Deschamps' team dominating the match. Several Moroccan players, including Ayyoub Bouaddi, Bilal El Khannouss, and Brahim Díaz, were substituted after failing to make an impact. Captain Achraf Hakimi, a defender for Paris Saint-Germain, has received significant criticism for his performance. He struggled to project forward and was involved in the play that led to France's penalty. Moroccan media outlet Sport360 rated his performance 4.5/10, noting he left spaces defensively and offered little offensively. Al Massae newspaper also criticized Hakimi, stating he was "far from his usual level" and ineffective on set pieces. Coach Mohamed Ouahbi acknowledged France's superiority, citing their strong play on the wings and effective transitions. Some Moroccan supporters also criticized Hakimi's post-match demeanor, specifically images of him smiling with his Paris Saint-Germain teammates, which they felt showed a lack of disappointment after the elimination.
Must ReadThe tragic killing of a 14-year-old physically and mentally disabled girl in Madina Wandifa, Sédhiou, has brought to light significant shortcomings in mental healthcare provision in Senegal. Ansoumana Dione, president of the Senegalese Association for the Monitoring and Assistance of Mentally Ill Patients ASSAMM, stated that this crime underscores a profound deficit in mental health support in the country. He noted the absence of a national policy to assist families dealing with mental illness, cerebral palsy, or autism. Regional hospitals reportedly lack dedicated services, and medication shortages are frequent, leaving families isolated. Dione also revealed that President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has declined to meet with ASSAMM, preventing the association from presenting potential solutions. The imam and two women involved in concealing the murder are currently under investigation. ASSAMM views the Sédhiou tragedy not as an isolated incident, but as an indicator of a silent crisis affecting thousands of Senegalese families who feel abandoned by the state.