Kouyate retires at 36 after revealing lifelong heart condition he hid from family and national team

Cheikhou Kouyate has retired from football at 36 after revealing he played his entire career with an undiagnosed congenital heart condition, which he kept secret from his family, his national team’s medical staff, and the public.

The former West Ham United, Crystal Palace, and Nottingham Forest midfielder made 296 Premier League appearances over a decade in England, all while managing a heart defect present since birth. His retirement was confirmed after Anderlecht — who had invited him to play and begin coaching this summer — asked him to stop following a routine medical examination.

Speaking to Senegalese channel Walf TV, Kouyate explained how he had navigated the condition throughout his career. “I suffered from this heart problem since birth. I played with it. In England, it was monitored every six months. I had medical check-ups at West Ham, Crystal Palace, and Nottingham Forest. Every time I had the tests, the problem reappeared,” he said.

“The doctors always pointed out the problem to me, but I took responsibility myself. I signed the insurance papers stating that anything that might happen to me would be my responsibility.”

Kouyate described the condition as particularly acute at altitude and in heat, producing symptoms during and after matches. “If I play in the heat, it hurts terribly, during and after matches. It feels like a side stitch, for about five minutes, and then it goes away. When it happens, after the match, I get painful cramps. After 24 hours, it stops.”

His decision to conceal the issue was deliberate. “I never said anything. I didn’t want to be forced to stop early. I never told my family, not even the national team doctors. They didn’t know about my problem.”

After leaving Nottingham Forest in 2024, Kouyate spent just over a year as a free agent before joining Turkish Super Lig side Amed SK in September 2025, a spell that lasted only a few months before his retirement.

The Senegal international, who holds dual Belgian citizenship and began his career at FC Brussels before moving through Kortrijk and Anderlecht, earned 92 caps for his country and scored four international goals. His final appearance for Senegal came as a substitute in a friendly win against Benin in March 2024.

Versatile enough to play in both midfield and defence, Kouyate scored 19 goals and contributed 13 assists across his club career. He had been set to combine playing duties with a coaching role at Anderlecht before the medical verdict ended that plan.