Senegal International Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy made history when he helped Chelsea beat Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League Final on Saturday night.

The Senegal international becomes the first African goalkeeper to play in the competition’s final since 1985

Mendy set a Champions League record having made Chelsea’s starting XI for Saturday’s final against Manchester City.

He become the first African goalkeeper to play in a Uefa Champions League final & the first since Bruce Grobbelaar in 1985 including the old European Cup.

The former Zimbabwe international was also in goal for Liverpool a year earlier when the Reds defeated AS Roma at Stadio Olimpico, Rome to claim the European Cup final in 1984.

With the scores ending 1-1 after extra-time, Joe Fagan’s men triumphed 4-2 on penalties as Bruno Conti and Francesco Graziani missed their kicks.

In 1985 Grobbelaar and Liverpool lost the European Cup final 1-0 against Juventus at Heysel Stadium in Brussels, Belgium.

Against the Citizens, Edouard Mendy became the first African Goalkeeper to win the UEFA Champions League in it’s new format.

Mendy was signed from Ligue 1 outfit Rennes in a £22m ($31m) deal as the six-time English top-flight kings sought to find greater stability between the sticks as costly errors had crept into Kepa Arrizabalaga’s game.

He has since proven to be one of the bargain signings, making crucial saves for the Londoners who finished fourth in the 2020-21 Premier League campaign.

The Lions of Teranga star was a doubt for the big showdown following his knock against Aston Villa.

The towering goalie suffered the injury seemingly trying to keep out Villa’s opening goal, which was scored by Burkina Faso international Bertrand Traore in first-half stoppage time.

Soka25east.com