Cheikhou Kouyaté announces retirement from professional football

Cheikhou Kouyaté, the former captain of the Senegal national football team, has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 36. A key figure in Senegalese sports history, Kouyaté was a central part of the squad that secured the nation’s first Africa Cup of Nations title in 2022.

During his international career, Kouyaté earned 92 caps and scored four goals. He represented Senegal in two World Cups (2018 and 2022) and five Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. His career also included participation in the 2012 Olympics.

Former teammate and goalkeeper Khadim Ndiaye praised Kouyaté’s leadership and personal dedication, noting that the midfielder often spent significant personal funds to support the national team’s success. Ndiaye described him as a model captain who prioritized team cohesion and consulted his teammates before making major decisions.