Edouard Mendy treated like a hero by Senegal squad after winning FIFA’s Best Goalkeeper award

Edouard Mendy treated like a hero by his Senegal team-mates as wild celebrations ensue after Chelsea star wins FIFA’s Best Goalkeeper award while away at AFCON, becoming the first African to win the coveted prize

  • Chelsea star Edouard Mendy won FIFA’s Best Goalkeeper award on Monday
  • Mendy’s Senegal team-mates wildly celebrated after he won the prize
  • The 29-year-old became the first African to win the prize awarded by FIFA
  • Mendy is currently away with Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal 


Edouard Mendy sparked scenes of jubliation while away with Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations, after he became the first African to win FIFA’s Best Goalkeeper award on Monday.

The 29-year-old won the prestigious prize after a stellar year in between the sticks for Chelsea, where he helped guide the club to Champions League and UEFA Super Cup glory.

And after it was confirmed that he beat Gianluigi Donnarumma and Manuel Neuer to the award, he was treated like a hero by his Senegal team-mates in what was a heart-warming moment.

The Senegal players cheers and applauded after he won the prestigious award

Senegal’s players treated Edouard Mendy like a hero after he won FIFA’s Best Goalkeeper gong

Mendy became the first African to win it as he beat Donnarumma and Neuer on Monday

Mendy became the first African to win it as he beat Donnarumma and Neuer on Monday

The Senegal players wildly celebrated on Monday evening ahead of their AFCON game with Malawi

The Senegal players wildly celebrated on Monday evening ahead of their AFCON game with Malawi

In a video filmed by Bayern Munich and Senegal full-back Bouna Sarr, Mendy can be seen celebrating his achievement while his international team-mates applaud and punch the air with joy.

While Mendy wasn’t able to attend the ceremony in person, it was most likely made more special being around his compatriots.

Mendy took to Instagram after winning the prize, where he thanked everyone for helping achieve a lifetime goal .

He wrote: ‘What a pride to receive this award today. 

‘I am even prouder to be the first African goalkeeper in history to win this title, and I hope to pave the way for many others.

‘The first word that comes to my mind is THANK YOU. 

‘Thank you to my companion, my children, my family and all those around me.

Mendy enjoyed a stellar year with Chelsea, where he won the Champions League

Mendy enjoyed a stellar year with Chelsea, where he won the Champions League

The 29-year-old also won the UEFA Super Cup with Thomas Tuchel's side in August

The 29-year-old also won the UEFA Super Cup with Thomas Tuchel’s side in August

‘Thank you to the French clubs that trained me and allowed me to evolve. 

‘Thank you to my club Chelsea, my coach, the staff and the players. Thank you to my country, Senegal, my coach and his staff, and all the players of my selection.

‘I will continue to work hard, as I have always done, to maintain this level of performance and win new titles. 

‘To conclude, I would just like to say: believe in yourself, in your dreams, always give your best, trust yourself, everything is possible.’