Cheikhou Kouyaté announces international retirement and reveals heart condition

Former Senegal national team captain Cheikhou Kouyaté has announced his retirement from international football. During an appearance on Walf TV, the 36-year-old revealed that he has lived with a heart condition since birth.

Kouyaté stated that he continued to play at the highest level despite regular medical warnings, even signing documents to personally assume the associated health risks. He noted that his condition impacted his professional career and contract negotiations. Specifically, he claimed Nottingham Forest initially considered a longer contract before reducing it to one year due to his medical status, and that Leeds United declined to recruit him because of the risk.

A potential return to Anderlecht in Belgium was also reportedly derailed following a medical examination. Kouyaté, a 2021 Africa Cup of Nations winner, most recently played for the Turkish club Amed SK before his contract was terminated by mutual consent in early 2026.