Winning Afcon was 10 times better than the Champions League, says ex-Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy

Former Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy says winning the Africa Cup of Nations remains the greatest achievement of his football career, ranking it above his Champions League success with Chelsea.

Mendy was part of the Senegal team that won the country's first AFCON title in 2022, beating Egypt on penalties in the final in Yaoundé.

The historic triumph came just eight months after Mendy helped Chelsea win the Champions League, keeping a clean sheet in their 1-0 victory over Manchester City in the 2021 final.

Despite the prestige of European club football's biggest prize, Mendy says Senegal's continental triumph carried a greater significance because of what it meant to his country.

“[Winning AFCON] was the best moment of my football career: it was 10 times better [than the Champions League],” Mendy told The Guardian.

“I can compare now because I’ve also won the Asian Champions League twice.

“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.

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

Mendy played a key role in Senegal's successful AFCON campaign and produced a decisive moment in the final when he saved Egypt's penalty during the shootout.

The match had ended 0-0 after extra time before Senegal prevailed on penalties to claim their first AFCON title.

The former Chelsea goalkeeper has since added two Asian Champions League titles to his list of honours, but says neither achievement has matched the emotional significance of winning with Senegal.

Mendy also believes the current generation has the talent to build on the foundations laid by the team that delivered the country's historic triumph.

He singled out Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara and Aston Villa's Ibrahim Mbaye among Senegal's emerging players.

Camara has established himself as one of Senegal's promising young midfielders and was linked with a move to Chelsea during the summer, while Mbaye is also regarded as part of the country's next generation of talent.

Mendy hopes the young players can eventually emulate the achievements of the 2022 squad and continue Senegal's progress on the international stage.

For the former goalkeeper, however, the significance of that AFCON triumph remains unique.

Senegal had waited decades for their first continental title before finally lifting the trophy in Yaoundé, making Mendy part of a team that secured a landmark moment in the country's football history.