Edouard Mendy has admitted he has not had time to celebrate despite his remarkable success.
Chelsea goalkeeper Mendy, 29, is now a European, World and African champion after his recent victory with Senegal and then playing in the Club World Cup final in Abu Dhabi.
Incredibly, Mendy was unemployed just seven years ago and is now regarded as one of the best keepers in the world.
Mendy said: “Obviously, I am really happy and proud for my success in the national team and also in Chelsea, but I don’t have time to celebrate because we have a lot of big games this week and the coming weeks.
"I am just focused on the next game and I will have time to celebrate at the end of the season.
“I can just say to keep working. Have faith in your work, believe in yourself. When you have the opportunity to show what you can do, take it, hold it, to be better everyday.
“Find a club, that’s a good start but to be better and better is the most difficult thing.
"The competition, the first competition is against yourself. You have to be better than yesterday and always want to improve.”
Former Rennes keeper Mendy also warned about the dangers of taking Lille lightly in the Champions League.
He added: “When you're in the Champions League, at this stage of the competition, there is no easy draw.
"Lille finished 1st [in Champions League group], which is an indicator of their performances. So it is not an easy draw, Lille are a great side.
“Granted, they are struggling a bit more in the league this year, however the season after winning a title are often complicated.
“But we can see that they will try their luck in the Champions League this year and they will do their best to get a result against us.
"So we must be vigilant and play our best football."
