Ghanaian defender Jonathan Mensah announced the end of his professional career on Monday 9 November, at the age of 36. He won 70 caps for the Black Stars and played at two World Cups, in 2010 and 2014.
It was in a message published on his social media that Jonathan Mensah, the 36-year-old Ghana international defender, announced on Monday 9 November the end of his professional journey, reports Benin Web TV.
Over the course of his career, the defender leaves behind a record that runs from the U20 world title won in 2009 to the 2020 MLS Cup, via a spell in France with Évian Thonon Gaillard and several seasons in the United States.
A U20 World Cup for the history books
Before his 70 caps for the Black Stars, Jonathan Mensah won the 2009 U20 Africa championship, then the U20 World Cup in Egypt. Ghana thus became the first African national team to win that title, according to Benin Web TV.
That youth career was not without consequence. The defender played at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups with Ghana. In South Africa, he was part of the Black Stars’ run to the quarter-finals.
From France to MLS
His club career took him notably to France, to Évian Thonon Gaillard. He then moved to the United States, with a spell at San Jose in 2023, then at New England Revolution in 2024.
It was with Columbus Crew, whom he captained from 2017 to 2022, that Jonathan Mensah won the 2020 MLS Cup under Caleb Porter. That year, the defender played every minute of the regular season and the play-off matches, and he was named in the league’s best XI.
Staying close to young players
With his playing career closed, Jonathan Mensah wants to stay involved in football through supporting young players, mentoring and community work, reports Benin Web TV.
The contours of this new chapter remain to be defined: no more detailed project has been revealed at this stage.