Seko Fofana retires from Ivory Coast national team
The FC Porto midfielder, 31, ends his international career after 35 caps and an Africa Cup of Nations title, easing a fitness headache for coach Farioli.
Seko Fofana has announced his retirement from the Ivory Coast national team, ending an international career of 35 caps and seven goals. The FC Porto midfielder made the announcement on social media.
"Dear Ivorian supporters, it is time for me to turn the page. I am proud and deeply grateful to have had the chance to fight for my country," Fofana wrote.
"I won the most beautiful trophy on the continent. It is a childhood dream come true for me, and these will be memories engraved forever for millions of Ivorians. Thank you to my teammates, to the staff and to all of you for your strength and support. I will always remain the Elephants' number one supporter, eager to see this new generation write its own story. There is no shortage of talent among us," he added.
Fofana, 31, is on loan at Porto from Rennes until the end of the season. His last appearance for Ivory Coast came against Germany at the 2026 World Cup. He won the Africa Cup of Nations during his time with the side.
The announcement eases a headache for Porto coach Francesco Farioli, who said before the Casa Pia AC fixture that Fofana was still short of full fitness to start for the dragons. Farioli had faced the prospect of losing the midfielder to international duty in the next FIFA window, after the Benfica game. With Fofana no longer on Ivory Coast duty, Farioli will instead have him available to work with the squad throughout that three-week period.
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