Koulibaly prepares his departure: Senegal's Lions of the Teranga prepare for a new era
Senegal's captain Kalidou Koulibaly has hinted he won't extend his international career until the 2030 World Cup. In a video published by Al-Hilal, he spoke about the final part of his career with his teammate Mohammed Al-Owais. "We're closer to the end than the beginning of our careers. You still have time, even until the next World Cup. Me, I don't think so. Four years is a long time. The young ones are coming," he said.
This is Koulibaly's first significant comment on his future since Senegal's elimination by Belgium in the 2026 World Cup's round of 16. Although he doesn't mention retirement, his message leaves little doubt: he shouldn't prolong his international adventure until the 2030 tournament organized by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal.
What's next for the young Lions of the Teranga?
The 2027 CAN, scheduled from June 19 to July 18 in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, could represent Koulibaly's final international goal. The defender will be 36 years old, but his experience and captaincy status can still weigh in a team called to rebuild. His future will depend on the next coach, as the Senegalese Federation is still looking for Pape Thiaw's successor.
The end of a golden generation
With Sadio Mané, Édouard Mendy, Idrissa Gana Gueye, or Cheikhou Kouyaté, Koulibaly embodied the most victorious generation in Senegal's history, marked by the 2021 CAN title and several World Cup qualifications. But the old guard is aging, and the young ones are pushing forward. The transition is now inevitable.
Kalidou Koulibaly could still accompany this transition for a few months. But his words confirm that in Senegal, a massive page is already turning.
