The Lions of Teranga made it out of a tough group containing tournament favourites France, as well as Norway and Iraq.

They ended as one of eight third-best runners-up to set up a round of 32 clash with Belgium.

Despite holding a two-nil lead, late goals from Belgium took the match to extra-time, where Youri Tielemans netted his second of the game from the penalty spot to secure the win.

Koulibaly felt a responsibility for his team's exit but says they will come back stronger in 2030.

The player wrote: "Dear compatriots, Since our elimination, the nights have been long. When you wear the armband, you don't simply go home after a defeat.

"You replay the images over and over, searching for answers. You carry with you the disappointment of an entire people. We wanted to make you proud to make you vibrate with us once again, and to keep the dream of a World Cup for our country alive as long as possible. Unfortunately, we were not up to our ambitions. Before anything else, I would like to say thank you.

"Thank you for your trust, your love and your unfailing support. You carried this team until the very last moment. You were up to this appointment. We, unfortunately, were not enough.

"As captain, I fully assume this elimination. We have our share of responsibility. We were simply not performant enough to continue this adventure, and that is a reality we must accept with humility. In very high-level football, the details count, but we also know that we can and must do better I hear the sadness, the anger and the criticisms. They are legitimate and testify to the love you have for this national team. Criticisms of our performances will always be part of football, and we accept them.

"On the other hand, after our elimination, many things have been said and written outside the simple sporting framework. I cannot let the honour of men who have always taken pride in defending the colours of Senegal be tarnished. Despite our sporting mistakes, I can testify to one thing: our commitment, our unity and our love for this jersey have never failed.

"Our professionalism has remained intact, united and deeply professional from the first to the last day. I will always be the first to defend my teammates when they are unfairly called into question. I would also like to be very clear on one point that fuels a lot of debate: I have never chosen a single player for a selection.

"I have never prevented a single player from joining the national team, nor asked for anyone's exclusion. The coach has always been the sole master of his sporting decisions. The call-ups, team compositions and technical choices belong entirely to him. We have always respected them.

"I can speak with certainty about the players, because I share their daily life.

"I know their sacrifices, their injuries, their doubts and their love for this jersey. And I will always continue to defend them when necessary. This elimination hurts. It hurts a lot. But it must not erase everything this generation has built for Senegalese football.

"Regarding the staff and the federation, it is not up to me to express myself. Each will take their responsibilities and communicate in their own name. Senegalese men and women, no one will make you forget this disappointment. It is up to us to work even harder to come back and once again earn your trust. A trust that is not claimed with words but won on the pitch. We may fall again.

"But as long as we wear this jersey, we will continue to give everything for our country, with the same pride, the same passion and the same love for Senegal. Thank you for your support. Sorry for not having been up to your expectations. The lion sometimes falls.

"But the lion always gets back up. Nothing without God.

"Your captain, Kalidou Koulibaly."

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