Édouard Mendy
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Édouard Osoque Mendy (born 1 March 1992) is a professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli. Born in France, he plays for the Senegal national team. Starting his career in his native France, Mendy played in the
Le Havre Le Havre is a major port city in the Seine-Maritime department in the Normandy (administrative region), Normandy region of northern France. It is situated on the right bank of the estuary of the Seine, river Seine on the English Channel, Channe ...
academy before signing professional terms with third division Cherbourg in 2011. Mendy was released in 2014, after which he almost quit football, before getting an opportunity with
Marseille Marseille (; ; see #Name, below) is a city in southern France, the Prefectures in France, prefecture of the Departments of France, department of Bouches-du-Rhône and of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Regions of France, region. Situated in the ...
's reserves. He established himself as regular in the following seasons at
Reims Reims ( ; ; also spelled Rheims in English) is the most populous city in the French Departments of France, department of Marne (department), Marne, and the List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, 12th most populous city in Fran ...
and
Rennes Rennes (; ; Gallo language, Gallo: ''Resnn''; ) is a city in the east of Brittany in Northwestern France at the confluence of the rivers Ille and Vilaine. Rennes is the prefecture of the Brittany (administrative region), Brittany Regions of F ...
. In 2020, Mendy signed for
Premier League The Premier League is a professional association football league in England and the highest level of the English football league system. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the English Football Lea ...
club Chelsea for a reported fee of £22 million. In his first season, he immediately broke into the starting line-up, becoming the first African goalkeeper to play for the club's senior team, and kept sixteen clean sheets in the Premier League. Mendy also equalled the record for the most clean sheets in a UEFA Champions League season with nine, and kept another clean sheet in the final to help Chelsea win their second title. He was also awarded both the UEFA Goalkeeper of the Year and The Best FIFA Goalkeeper of 2021, becoming the first African goalkeeper in football's history to win both awards. He would continue as the first choice keeper in the 2021–22 season, before subsequently falling out of favour during 2022–23. In 2023, Mendy signed for Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli for a fee of around £16 million. Eligible to play for Guinea-Bissau and Senegal through descent and France through birth, Mendy initially joined Guinea-Bissau in honour of his father. However, he subsequently switched allegiance to Senegal, where he became the first-choice goalkeeper for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, helping Senegal to a runners-up finish. He helped his nation win the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, while also being named the tournament's best goalkeeper, keeping a clean sheet in the final.


Early life

Édouard Osoque Mendy was born on 1 March 1992 in Montivilliers, Seine-Maritime in France, to a Senegalese mother and a Bissau-Guinean father. He holds both French and Senegalese nationalities. He is a cousin of fellow footballer Ferland Mendy.


Club career


Early career

Mendy joined the youth academy of Le Havre AC at the age of 13. After being stuck behind Zacharie Boucher in the talent pool, Mendy dropped down levels to play with CS Municipaux Le Havre. He started his professional career at AS Cherbourg, who were then in the
Championnat National The Championnat National (), commonly referred to as simply National or Division 3, is the third division of the French football league system behind Ligue 1 and Ligue 2. Contested by 18 clubs, the Championnat National operates on a system of ...
, the third tier of the French football league system. He stayed in Cherbourg until the summer of 2014, after which he was without a club for a year. "I did genuinely have my doubts about whether I would carry on", Mendy said in a later interview. At the age of 22, Mendy registered for unemployment and began to look for jobs outside of football. However, in 2015, Mendy was recommended to fill a goalkeeping vacancy at
Marseille Marseille (; ; see #Name, below) is a city in southern France, the Prefectures in France, prefecture of the Departments of France, department of Bouches-du-Rhône and of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Regions of France, region. Situated in the ...
by friend and former teammate Ted Lavie. After one phone call with the academy goalkeeping coach, Dominique Bernatowicz, Marseille signed Mendy as their fourth choice goalkeeper. He played the 2015–16 season in Marseille's reserve team, primarily as a backup to Florian Escales.


Reims

In search of regular playing time, Mendy joined
Reims Reims ( ; ; also spelled Rheims in English) is the most populous city in the French Departments of France, department of Marne (department), Marne, and the List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, 12th most populous city in Fran ...
during the 2016–17 Ligue 2 season. On the opening day of the season, Mendy made his debut when Reims' starting goalkeeper Johann Carrasso was sent off five minutes into the match against
Amiens Amiens (English: or ; ; , or ) is a city and Communes of France, commune in northern France, located north of Paris and south-west of Lille. It is the capital of the Somme (department), Somme Departments of France, department in the region ...
. Mendy went on to keep three clean sheets over his next seven games. The next season, Mendy cemented his role as the starting goalkeeper on a team for the first time, as he helped Reims win the 2017–18 Ligue 2 title as they were promoted to Ligue 1 for the following season. Mendy kept 18 clean sheets in his 34 appearances over the course of the season. In the 2018–19 season, Mendy played in all 38 Ligue 1 games, as newly promoted Reims soared to an eighth-place finish. Mendy kept fourteen clean sheets, the third highest of any goalkeeper in the league.


Rennes

Mendy joined
Rennes Rennes (; ; Gallo language, Gallo: ''Resnn''; ) is a city in the east of Brittany in Northwestern France at the confluence of the rivers Ille and Vilaine. Rennes is the prefecture of the Brittany (administrative region), Brittany Regions of F ...
in August 2019 for an undisclosed fee, rumoured to be in the region of €4 million, replacing departing goalkeeper Tomáš Koubek. Mendy made his debut on Matchday 3 against
Strasbourg Strasbourg ( , ; ; ) is the Prefectures in France, prefecture and largest city of the Grand Est Regions of France, region of Geography of France, eastern France, in the historic region of Alsace. It is the prefecture of the Bas-Rhin Departmen ...
after recovering from a broken finger. He saved a penalty to preserve a clean sheet as Rennes won 2–0 at the Stade de la Meinau. Mendy went on to keep nine clean sheets in 24 league matches for Rennes in a season that was shortened due to the
COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...
, helping them to a third-place finish and qualification for the UEFA Champions League.


Chelsea


2020–21 season

English club Chelsea signed Mendy on a five-year contract in September 2020, for a fee reported to be £22 million. On 29 September, Mendy made his debut for the club against Tottenham Hotspur in the fourth round of the EFL Cup, which Chelsea lost 5–4 on penalties after a 1–1 draw. Mendy made his
Premier League The Premier League is a professional association football league in England and the highest level of the English football league system. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the English Football Lea ...
debut on 3 October, keeping a clean sheet in Chelsea's 4–0 victory over Crystal Palace, becoming the first African goalkeeper to play in the division since Carl Ikeme in 2012. His clean sheet against Burnley on 31 October made him the first Chelsea goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet in their first three
Premier League The Premier League is a professional association football league in England and the highest level of the English football league system. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the English Football Lea ...
matches since Petr Čech in 2004. With a clean sheet in the club's next match, a 3–0 win against Mendy's former club Rennes in the Champions League, Chelsea recorded five consecutive clean sheets for the first time in a decade. On 8 May 2021, Mendy saved a panenka style penalty kick from Sergio Agüero as Chelsea came from 0–1 down to defeat Manchester City 2–1. Three weeks later on 29 May, Mendy became the first African goalkeeper to play in a final of the UEFA Champions League since Bruce Grobbelaar, who appeared in the 1985 European Cup final. Chelsea defeated Manchester City 1–0 in the final. He also equaled the record of most clean sheets in a Champions League season, by keeping nine clean sheets, the same as Santiago Cañizares in 2000–01 and Keylor Navas in 2015–16.


2021–22 season

Mendy started the UEFA Super Cup tie against Villarreal, making important saves in the tie that went to extra time. He was replaced by Kepa Arrizabalaga for the penalty shoot-out, which Chelsea went on to win for a second Super Cup title. Mendy finished second in the Yashin Award to
Italy Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe, Western Europe. It consists of Italian Peninsula, a peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with the Alps on its northern land b ...
goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who saved two penalties in the UEFA Euro 2020 final. Mendy did, however, win the FIFA Best Goalkeeper award. In February 2022, after winning the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations with
Senegal Senegal, officially the Republic of Senegal, is the westernmost country in West Africa, situated on the Atlantic Ocean coastline. It borders Mauritania to Mauritania–Senegal border, the north, Mali to Mali–Senegal border, the east, Guinea t ...
, Mendy returned from international duty to take part in the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup, starting in the final as he won a second trophy in two weeks.


Al Ahli

Mendy signed for Saudi Pro League club Al Ahli on 28 June 2023 on a three-year contract, for a fee reported in the British media to be around £16 million. In the final match held in Jeddah on 3 May 2025, he became a member of the squad that won the first-ever AFC Champions League Elite title at the 2024–25 season, following a victory against the Japanese representative, Kawasaki Frontale at the final. Mendy was also the best goalkeeper in the competition.


International career

In November 2016, Mendy was called up by
Guinea-Bissau Guinea-Bissau, officially the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, is a country in West Africa that covers with an estimated population of 2,026,778. It borders Senegal to Guinea-Bissau–Senegal border, its north and Guinea to Guinea–Guinea-Bissau b ...
to play friendly matches against Portuguese clubs Belenenses and Estoril. At the time, his father was very ill and was about to pass away, leading Mendy to honour him playing for the Guinea-Bissau national team. Shortly after, he was shortlisted by Guinea-Bissau to play the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations for them, but he ultimately rejected the call and pledged his future to
Senegal Senegal, officially the Republic of Senegal, is the westernmost country in West Africa, situated on the Atlantic Ocean coastline. It borders Mauritania to Mauritania–Senegal border, the north, Mali to Mali–Senegal border, the east, Guinea t ...
. Mendy made his debut for Senegal in a 1–0 win over
Equatorial Guinea Equatorial Guinea, officially the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, is a country on the west coast of Central Africa. It has an area of . Formerly the colony of Spanish Guinea, its post-independence name refers to its location both near the Equ ...
on 18 November 2018. Mendy went on to become Senegal's first choice goalkeeper leading up to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. He started in both Senegal's opening two group stage matches, a 2–0 win over
Tanzania Tanzania, officially the United Republic of Tanzania, is a country in East Africa within the African Great Lakes region. It is bordered by Uganda to the northwest; Kenya to the northeast; the Indian Ocean to the east; Mozambique and Malawi to t ...
and a 1–0 defeat to
Algeria Algeria, officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It is bordered to Algeria–Tunisia border, the northeast by Tunisia; to Algeria–Libya border, the east by Libya; to Alger ...
. However, he was injured during the warmups before Senegal's final group stage match against
Kenya Kenya, officially the Republic of Kenya, is a country located in East Africa. With an estimated population of more than 52.4 million as of mid-2024, Kenya is the 27th-most-populous country in the world and the 7th most populous in Africa. ...
, and was forced to withdraw from the squad with a broken finger as Senegal would go on to lose in the final 1–0 to Algeria. In January 2022, Mendy was included in Senegal's squad for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon. In his first game at the competition, on 10 January against
Zimbabwe file:Zimbabwe, relief map.jpg, upright=1.22, Zimbabwe, relief map Zimbabwe, officially the Republic of Zimbabwe, is a landlocked country in Southeast Africa, between the Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers, bordered by South Africa to the south, Bots ...
, he kept a clean sheet in a 1–0 win for Senegal. After the group stages, Mendy helped his nation to progress into the final. At the final on 6 February, against
Egypt Egypt ( , ), officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a country spanning the Northeast Africa, northeast corner of Africa and Western Asia, southwest corner of Asia via the Sinai Peninsula. It is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to northe ...
at Olembe Stadium, following a goalless draw after extra-time, Mendy saved a spot kick from Mohanad Lasheen and another hit the post during the penalty shootout to win the tournament for Senegal for the first time. For his performances throughout the competition, including keeping four clean sheets, he was named the tournament's best goalkeeper. Mendy represented Senegal at the 2022 FIFA World Cup as the nation reached the round of 16 for the first time since its debut in 2002. In December 2023, Mendy was named in Senegal's squad for the postponed 2023 Africa Cup of Nations held in the
Ivory Coast Ivory Coast, also known as Côte d'Ivoire and officially the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, is a country on the southern coast of West Africa. Its capital city of Yamoussoukro is located in the centre of the country, while its largest List of ci ...
.


Style of play

Mendy has been described as a physically dominant goalkeeper who exerts a strong influence in the defensive third. In the 2019–20 season with Rennes, Mendy recorded a 75.3% save success rate, the highest in Ligue 1, averaging 2.5 saves per game. In the same season, Mendy completed 51.4% of his passes over 40 yards, the same as Ederson, who is highly regarded for his kicking ability. Mendy is an aerially assertive goalkeeper, frequently coming off his line to claim crosses. He is also very vocal, often organizing his defenders' positioning. Upon his arrival at Chelsea, former manager Frank Lampard praised his positive attitude and work ethic. He was appointed a Grand Officer of the National Order of the Lion by
President of Senegal The president of Senegal () is the head of state of Senegal. In accordance with the 2001 Senegalese constitutional referendum, constitutional reform of 2001 and since a 2016 Senegalese constitutional referendum, referendum that took place on 20 ...
Macky Sall following the nation's victory at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.


Career statistics


Club


International


Honours

Reims *
Ligue 2 Ligue 2 (, League 2), also known as Ligue 2 BKT due to sponsorship reasons, is a French professional football league. The league serves as the second division of French football and is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Prof ...
: 2017–18 Chelsea * UEFA Champions League: 2020–21 * UEFA Super Cup: 2021 * FIFA Club World Cup: 2021 * FA Cup runner-up: 2020–21, 2021–22 * EFL Cup runner-up: 2021–22 Al-Ahli *
AFC Champions League Elite The AFC Champions League Elite (abbreviated as the ACL Elite) is an annual continental club association football, football competition organised by the Asian Football Confederation, and contested by Asia's List of top-division football clubs i ...
: 2024–25 Senegal * Africa Cup of Nations: 2021; runner-up: 2019 Individual * The Best FIFA Men's Goalkeeper: 2021 * UEFA Champions League Goalkeeper of the Season: 2020–21 *UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season: 2020–21 * Ghana Football Awards Best African International: 2021 *Africa Cup of Nations Best Goalkeeper: 2021 *Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament: 2021 *
AFC Champions League Elite The AFC Champions League Elite (abbreviated as the ACL Elite) is an annual continental club association football, football competition organised by the Asian Football Confederation, and contested by Asia's List of top-division football clubs i ...
Best Goalkeeper: 2024–25 * Saudi Pro League Goalkeeper of the Month: April 2025 Orders * Grand Officer of the National Order of the Lion: 2022


References


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Mendy, Edouard 1992 births Living people People from Montivilliers Footballers from Seine-Maritime French men's footballers Senegalese men's footballers Men's association football goalkeepers AS Cherbourg Football players Olympique de Marseille players Stade de Reims players Stade Rennais FC players Chelsea F.C. players Al-Ahli Saudi FC players Championnat National players Championnat National 2 players Ligue 2 players Ligue 1 players Premier League players Saudi Pro League players UEFA Champions League–winning players AFC Champions League Elite–winning players Senegal men's international footballers 2019 Africa Cup of Nations players 2021 Africa Cup of Nations players 2022 FIFA World Cup players 2023 Africa Cup of Nations players Africa Cup of Nations–winning players French expatriate men's footballers Senegalese expatriate men's footballers Expatriate men's footballers in England Expatriate men's footballers in Saudi Arabia French expatriate sportspeople in England French expatriate sportspeople in Saudi Arabia Senegalese expatriate sportspeople in England Senegalese expatriate sportspeople in Saudi Arabia Black French sportspeople French sportspeople of Bissau-Guinean descent French sportspeople of Senegalese descent Senegalese people of Bissau-Guinean descent Sportspeople of Bissau-Guinean descent Recipients of orders, decorations, and medals of Senegal 21st-century French sportsmen 21st-century Senegalese sportsmen