Sadio Mané has not retired from international football, according to French sports newspaper L’Équipe, after a false statement claiming the Senegal forward had ended his national team career circulated online.
The report said the retirement announcement shared on social media was fake and appeared to have originated from an artificial intelligence-generated letter that was later republished by some media organisations.
Among the outlets that carried reports based on the false information was beIN Sports, which published a story claiming Mané had announced his decision to step away from international football.
The report suggested that the Senegal star had revealed his retirement through an “emotional letter” published by Senegalese newspaper Le Quotidien.
The statement attributed to Mané included the words:
“Know that I sacrificed everything for this flag. I gave everything and always fought fiercely for our country. Your unwavering support has been the driving force behind my success,” the fake letter reads.
However, L’Équipe later reported that the claims were inaccurate, citing information from Sport News Africa journalist Malang Sané, who said sources close to the player had rejected the retirement rumours.
“According to those sources, the fake statement attributed to Mané and republished by Le Quotidien appears to have been generated using artificial intelligence,” L’Équipe said.
Mané remains part of Senegal’s national team plans and was included in coach Pape Thiaw’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 34-year-old forward continues to be regarded as one of Senegal’s most influential players, having played a major role in the country’s recent football successes.
The false retirement reports emerged during a difficult period surrounding Senegal’s World Cup campaign, which ended in the Round of 32.
The tournament was accompanied by a number of rumours and controversies involving the national team, including claims about internal problems within the squad.
Some reports suggested that Senegal travelled to the United States without their chef, while others alleged that coach Pape Thiaw was working without a contract or salary, alongside members of his technical staff.
Despite those claims, the focus remains on the team’s performances and preparations for future competitions.
The retirement story involving Mané highlights the growing challenges faced by players and media organisations in dealing with false information spread online, particularly when artificial intelligence is used to create convincing but inaccurate statements.
For now, there is no indication that Mané intends to end his international career, with the Senegal forward still available for national team selection.
The former Liverpool player remains one of the country’s most recognised football figures, and his continued involvement will be viewed as important as Senegal looks ahead following its World Cup elimination.
The clarification from L’Équipe brings an end to the speculation surrounding Mané’s international future, confirming that the retirement announcement circulating online was not genuine.
