Ismail Jakobs has announced his retirement from international football with Senegal at the age of 27, bringing an unexpected end to a career that included appearances at the last two World Cups and the 2023 and 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Galatasaray player made his Senegal debut in 2022 and went on to win 33 caps. Despite being at an age when he could have continued representing his country, Jakobs said he had decided to step away from the national team and focus on his club career and personal life.
“I joined the national team as a young boy and I leave it as a mature man,” Jakobs said, according to Foot Mercato. “I take with me unforgettable memories, friendships that will last a lifetime and a gratitude that will remain engraved in my heart forever.”
Although Jakobs grew up in Germany, he said Senegal had made him feel at home from the moment he arrived.
“Although I was raised in Germany, Senegal welcomed me with great warmth and immense love,” he said. “The country, the fans, my team-mates and the culture made me feel at home from the very first moment. Thanks to Senegal, I was able to fulfil my childhood dreams and experience moments that I will cherish forever.”
Jakobs, whose father is Senegalese, added that representing the country had allowed him to fulfil both his own ambition and his father’s dream.
“It was a great pleasure for me, as the son of a Senegalese father, to fulfil not only my dream but also my father’s,” he said. “Today, the time has come to open a new chapter. I want to concentrate on my club career and devote more valuable time to myself and my family.”
He concluded: “Time is precious, and some moments do not come again. My adventure on the pitch with Senegal is coming to an end, but my connection with this country will remain eternal.”
Jakobs attracted considerable attention after Senegal’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco, when he said three Senegal players had suffered food poisoning.
He claimed that the timing and severity of their symptoms suggested the incident may have been deliberate.
“I cannot say that with absolute certainty, but my personal opinion is that three of our players were poisoned,” Jakobs said.
“It was not ordinary food poisoning. Three players went down at the same time and it was extremely frightening. I do not want to make accusations, but what happened was not accidental.”
Senegal are listed to face Sudan in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on 12 November 2026, while Morocco are scheduled to play Niger in the same competition on 13 November 2026.
