Senegal and Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly has labelled international teammate Edouard Mendy 'the best in the world' amid comparisons with the likes of Alisson, Ederson, David De Gea and Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Mendy, 29, alongside Liverpool's Sadio Mane, was the hero in the penalty shoot out for Aliou Cisse's side as they claimed Senegal's first ever Africa Cup of Nations title in dramatic style against Egypt.
Chelsea's No.16 didn't have a lot to do over the full 120 minutes other than make a big save from Mohamed Salah and deal with a few nerves that were clear when having to claim crosses from corners and free-kicks.
However, it was another weapon that not many knew about that allowed the Teranga Lions to go up against the odds and beat the North African side at something they were specialists in throughout the whole tournament- penalty kicks.
Chelsea's signing of the 2021 summer transfer window came in clutch when it really mattered as he guessed the right way to deny Mohaned Lasheen, allowing Mane to right the wrongs of his earlier missed spot kick.
The AFCON win was followed by a Goalkeeper of the Tournament award, adding to the Champions League win and the FIFA Best Goalkeeper award that the once nearly-unemployed player has attained during his Chelsea career.
Despite missing out on the Yashin award to PSG's Donnarumma, Koulibaly, who was furious at that decision alone alongside thousands of Chelsea fans, says that his international teammate is on top of the world when it comes to the goalkeeping hierarchy.
He said in the aftermath of victory to local media out there in Africa: "It was a tough game and a tough tournament.
"We made it with our team and our power. Our GK (Mendy) is the best in the world and we win the title. We feel happy.
"We knew it would be hard to win the Africa Cup of Nations but today we made it."
