Édouard Mendy: Winning AFCON With Senegal Was “10 Times Better” Than Chelsea’s Champions League Triumph

Édouard Mendy has revealed that winning the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal remains the greatest achievement of his football career, placing the triumph well above his UEFA Champions League success with Chelsea.

Mendy helped Chelsea win the Champions League in 2021, keeping a clean sheet as Thomas Tuchel’s side defeated Manchester City 1–0 in the final in Porto.

Just eight months later, the goalkeeper played a key role as Senegal secured their first-ever AFCON title, defeating Egypt on penalties after a goalless final in Yaoundé.

Reflecting on the two achievements, Mendy told The Guardian that the continental triumph with his country carried a completely different emotional significance.

“Winning AFCON was the best moment of my football career: it was 10 times better than the Champions League.”

Mendy explained that while winning major trophies at club level is an incredible achievement, representing Senegal made the AFCON triumph particularly special because the country had never previously lifted the trophy.

“To win for your club is something really incredible. But you cannot compare with winning for your country, especially when they have never won anything before,” Mendy said.

“It happens only once in your life so being part of the team that made history was amazing.”

The 34-year-old has since added two Asian Champions League titles to his collection with Al-Ahli, meaning he has won continental club competitions in both Europe and Asia. However, Mendy still considers Senegal’s historic AFCON victory the defining moment of his career.

His comments underline the unique place Senegal’s first continental championship holds in his football journey, particularly after he helped a generation of players deliver a historic achievement for the national team.