Senegal: Kalidou Koulibaly breaks his silence and responds to criticism after World Cup elimination

A few days after Senegal's elimination from the 2026 World Cup, Kalidou Koulibaly has finally spoken out. In a message to the Senegalese people, the Lions of Teranga captain took responsibility for the team's failure and offered his apologies to the fans.

The defender acknowledged that the national team had fallen short of both expectations and ambitions, while also conceding that criticism regarding the team's performance was justified.

Kalidou Koulibaly responds to criticism

Amidst the many rumors swirling since the Lions' exit, Kalidou Koulibaly was eager to set the record straight. The Senegalese captain firmly denied any involvement in the selection or exclusion of players from the squad.

"I have never chosen a single player for selection. I have never prevented any player from joining the camp, nor have I ever asked for anyone to be excluded."

He emphasized that all sporting decisions lie solely with the head coach, putting an end to speculation about his alleged influence within the national team.

A tribute to this generation of Lions

Kalidou Koulibaly also stood up for his teammates, praising their commitment and professionalism despite the World Cup disappointment. According to him, this elimination should not overshadow all that this generation has accomplished for Senegalese football in recent years.

The captain concluded by thanking the Senegalese people for their unwavering support, promising that the Lions will work to come back stronger for future international challenges.

Nouya M'toama

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Versatile journalist specializing in sports and political news, with extensive experience across radio, print and digital media platforms.