Senegalese Keeper Edouard Mendy has been voted The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper for 2021 after a stellar year.
He was declared the world’s best shot stopper during the FIFA ‘The Best’ awards event held at FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich Switzerland.
This edition of the award compared player’s performances from October 2020 to August 2021.
Having won the Champions League with Chelsea last season, Mendy beat off competition from strong contenders, Italian Gianluigi Donnarumma of PSG and German Manuel Neuer of Bayern Munich.
He kept 27 clean sheets and conceded just 34 goals in 51 games overall. Reacting to his big win, Mendy took to his Instagram page to express his delight writing, “[w]hat 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.
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.”
Monday’s event further enrich the inspirational story of the Senegalese. The 29-year-old was previously playing in France’s lower leagues and had been close to ending his professional career as recently as six years ago. The Senegal international is currently on duty at the Africa Cup of Nations happening in Cameroon.
