Senegal players received heroes welcome in their respective clubs
Senegalese players received heroic welcomes at their respective clubs following their return from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where they emerged champions.
In Saudi Arabia, Al Nassr players gathered to honour the Senegalese attacker, sharing a cake in appreciation of his achievement.
German giants Bayern Munich also presented an impressive champions’ cake, with their player proudly posing for a photo alongside it.
Mané, Gueye, Mendy: Meet the masterminds behind Senegal’s AFCON success
Meanwhile, West Ham United’s Malick Diouf was given a guard of honour by his teammates to celebrate his success.
Premier League clubs, including Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur, also joined in the celebrations, hailing players such as Ismaïla Sarr and Pape Matar Sarr amid widespread admiration.
These gestures highlight the significance of the AFCON and the high regard in which it is held globally as one of football’s major tournaments.
Senegal, on Sunday, January 18, 2026, were crowned Champions of Africa for the second time in their history after defeating host nation Morocco 1-0 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
The President of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, received the players, the entire technical team, and officials at the Presidential Palace to thank them for their service and for bringing joy to the Senegalese people through their victory.
The players and head coach, Pape Thiaw, were formally bestowed with state honours after being elevated to the rank of Commander within the National Order of the Lion.
Watch the videos below:
Welcoming back our champion, Sadio Mané 🦁
The Nassr way 💛💛
pic.twitter.com/3tnvNPLEjK— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) January 23, 2026
A very warm welcome for our AFCON champion 🇸🇳🏆 pic.twitter.com/WqQoieyG5V
— West Ham United (@WestHam) January 23, 2026
African champion Nicolas Jackson was given a welcome by the club upon his return to Munich today 🏆🇸🇳 pic.twitter.com/Q9wDZpZQOf
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) January 23, 2026
🇸🇳🥳 Crystal Palace players welcome back AFCON winner Ismaila Sarr! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Cqd7UMFxZc
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) January 22, 2026
El Campeón de la Copa África ya está aquiiiiiií
Pape Gueye ya está en casa 💛💙 pic.twitter.com/AgrLhacJhF
— Villarreal CF (@VillarrealCF) January 22, 2026
Our AFCON champion is home! 🏆🤩 pic.twitter.com/Tt4fXjS0UI
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 22, 2026
SB/MA
Meanwhile, watch as Ghanaians celebrate Senegal’s AFCON triumph
