Senegal midfielder Cheikhou Kouyaté has announced his retirement from football, revealing that a heart condition he has had since birth affected his club career.
The 36-year-old, who was part of Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations-winning team in 2021, said the condition had been monitored throughout his career and influenced decisions by some clubs.
“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.
Kouyaté’s condition made it difficult for him to continue his club career. After leaving Nottingham Forest in 2022, he spent a period without a club before joining Turkish side Amed SK in 2025. That move proved to be his final club spell.
Kouyaté enjoyed a long international career with Senegal and also served as captain of the Teranga Lions. He played a key role in their historic AFCON triumph in Cameroon in 2021.
His last appearance for Senegal came in March 2024.
Kouyaté was also part of Senegal’s squad during the World Cup under Pape Thiaw, although he did not have an official role with the team.
After almost two decades at the highest level, Kouyaté has now decided to end his football career while publicly revealing the health condition he had previously kept private.
By: Pascal Amoah
