Ismaïla Jakobs retires from Senegal national team

Galatasaray defender Ismaïla Jakobs has officially announced his retirement from international football with the Senegal national team. The 27-year-old left-back expressed his gratitude to the country of his father's heritage, stating that he joined the national team as a boy and leaves as a man.

Jakobs, who was born and raised in Germany, earned 33 official caps for the Lions. His international career included appearances in two World Cups (2022 and 2026) and two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments (2023 and 2025), notably participating in Senegal's 2025 continental title win. He cited a desire to focus on his club career and his family as the primary reasons for his decision.

His departure follows a series of recent international retirements within the Senegalese squad, including Cherif Ndiaye and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, amid ongoing discussions regarding the management of the national selection.