Former Senegal international Cheikhou Kouyaté has revealed that he played professional football for years while living with a heart condition he had suffered from since birth, despite repeated medical warnings.
The 36-year-old midfielder disclosed that his condition was monitored regularly during his time in England, where he played for West Ham United, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest. However, he admitted that he continued playing despite doctors repeatedly identifying the problem during medical examinations.
“I suffered from a 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,” Kouyaté said.
The former Senegal captain explained that although medical professionals had consistently highlighted the issue, he personally accepted the risks associated with continuing his career.
“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,” he added.
Kouyaté also revealed that Belgian club Anderlecht approached him during the summer with an opportunity to play while beginning his transition into coaching. However, the move took a different turn after he underwent a medical examination.
“Anderlecht called me in the summer to play there and also to start training as a coach. But after the medical examination, the doctor asked me to stop playing football,” he disclosed.
The experienced midfielder further described the physical discomfort he endured, particularly when playing in hot conditions, explaining that the symptoms could persist during and after matches.
“The problem is at high altitude. 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,” he explained.
In a particularly striking revelation, Kouyaté admitted that he kept his condition secret from those closest to him, including his family and Senegal’s national team medical staff, because he feared being forced to end his playing career prematurely.
“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,” he said.
Kouyaté’s revelations offer a glimpse into the personal challenges he faced while competing at the highest level of professional football. His account also highlights the importance of medical screening and transparent communication between players and medical professionals when dealing with potentially serious health conditions.
