By Ghazali Ibrahim
Two of Africa’s most celebrated footballers, Sadio Mané and Riyad Mahrez, have announced their retirement from international football, bringing the curtain down on amazing careers that helped define a generation of African football.
The announcements came in the aftermath of their countries’ exits from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking the end of an era for both Senegal and Algeria.
Mahrez, 35, confirmed his retirement following Algeria’s 2-0 defeat to Switzerland in the Round of 32. The former Leicester City and Manchester City winger told broadcasters after the match that it was his final appearance for the Desert Foxes, ending a 12-year international career.
The Algeria captain leaves as one of the most accomplished players in the nation’s history, having earned 119 caps and scored 40 goals.
He played a great role in Algeria’s triumph at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations and helped establish the North Africans as one of the continent’s leading football powers.
Meanwhile, Senegal legend Mané has also called time on his international career following the Teranga Lions’ World Cup campaign. Reports indicate that the former Liverpool and Bayern Munich forward decided to step aside after Senegal’s elimination, ending a remarkable 14-year spell with the national team.
The 33-year-old leaves as Senegal’s all-time leading scorer and one of the most influential figures in the country’s football history. His international career reached its pinnacle in 2022 when he inspired Senegal to its first-ever Africa Cup of Nations title before helping the nation remain a dominant force on the continent.
Earlier this year, Mané had already announced that the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations would be his final appearance at the continental championship, prompting appeals from Senegal coach Pape Thiaw for him to reconsider his decision.
The departures of Mané and Mahrez represent a significant transition for African football. Both players became global stars through their exploits in European football while serving as symbols of national pride for millions of supporters across the continent.
Between them, the duo won major domestic titles, continental championships and individual honours, while helping elevate the profile of African football on the world stage.
Their retirements now leave Senegal and Algeria preparing for a new generation of talent ahead of future Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and the 2030 World Cup cycle.
