Former Senegal captain Cheikhou Kouyate has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 36, revealing that a heart condition he was born with had affected his club career.
The 2021 Africa Cup of Nations winner disclosed the condition while announcing his decision to end his time with the Senegal national team.
Kouyate said the condition had been monitored throughout his career, particularly during his time in England, where he played for West Ham, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest.
“I have a condition; I was born with it. In England, it was monitored by every club I played for. When I signed with Nottingham for the 2022–2023 season, they wanted to offer me a two-year contract. When they found out, they refused and only let me sign for one year. It was the same with Leeds when I wanted to sign there. The doctor also took note of it and didn’t want to take the risk,” he explained.
The midfielder-turned-defender said his medical condition became a factor in negotiations with clubs and contributed to difficulties in continuing his professional career.
Kouyate left Nottingham Forest in 2022 and subsequently spent a lengthy period without a club before moving to Turkey to join Amed SK in 2025.
His time in Turkey eventually brought his playing career closer to an end. According to his account, he terminated his contract after spending six months without receiving his salary.
He later returned to Senegal before receiving an opportunity to continue his career in Belgium with Anderlecht.
Kouyate had hoped to play for the Belgian club while also beginning coaching training, but a medical examination changed those plans.
Anderlecht’s doctor advised him to stop playing, and this time Kouyate decided to follow the recommendation after discussing the situation with his family and people close to him.
His heart condition had been managed throughout his years in England. At West Ham, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest, he underwent regular medical checks and said he accepted the risks involved, including signing the necessary insurance documents.
Despite the health issue, Kouyate enjoyed a lengthy career at the highest level and became an important figure for Senegal.
He captained the Lions and was part of the team that won the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon in 2021, the country’s first triumph in the competition.
His last appearance for Senegal came in March 2024.
Kouyate was also included in Senegal’s squad during the World Cup under coach Pape Thiaw, although he did not have an official position within the team.
His decision brings the international chapter of a career spanning nearly two decades to an end.
Kouyate had continued playing despite knowing about the condition since birth, but his latest medical assessment at Anderlecht ultimately led him to accept the advice to stop.
The former Senegal captain announced his international retirement on Walf TV, while also choosing to make public details of a medical condition he had previously kept private.
His career has therefore ended after spells in England and Turkey, followed by an unsuccessful attempt to continue playing in Belgium.
