Thus, the final chapter in Mads Mensah's international career was winning the 2026 European Championships against Germany on Sunday.
"It has been an enormous privilege to represent Denmark. Pulling the national team jersey over my head 225 times is something I am incredibly proud of.
"I have given everything every time I have represented the national team. Now is the time to pass the baton and prioritize new chapters in my club career.
"The experiences, memories, and great results we have created together, I will take with me for the rest of my life. The EURO gold in Herning was the perfect end to my journey with the Danish national team", says Mads Mensah.
While he has played his last match with the national team, he continues in the services of Danish club Skjern, where he has a contract for another three seasons.
On the national team, he has taken part in no less than 16 final tournaments since his debut in 2011. Among the biggest triumphs were the EURO gold this year, the Olympic gold in 2016, and four World Championship gold medals in 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025.
National team coach Nikolaj Jacobsen was surprised when Mads Mensah announced that it was the right time to stop.
"I have told Mads that I don't necessarily agree with his decision, but of course I respect it.
It's one of the main characters in the Danish national team who now says farewell. Mads has been one of the key players throughout my time as national coach", says Nikolaj Jacobsen to the federation website.