Cheikhou Kouyate was given a hero’s welcome and a special present when he returned to Crystal Palace training this week.
The midfielder, who is reportedly in talks to sign a new contract at Selhurst Park, helped Senegal to win their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations title, beating Egypt in the final on penalties in Cameroon.
Kouyate was given time to celebrate his nation’s historic victory by Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira before being welcomed back by the first-team squad and coaching staff at Copers Cope with a guard of honour.
He was then presented with a special Crystal Palace home kit with ‘AFCON 2022 Champions’ on the back by club captain Luka Milivojevic and gave a short speech in front of his teammates.
He said: “Thanks guys! Thanks for the support, I am very very happy, next year we can win the league!'
Kouyate is then seen being embraced by manager Patrick Vieira as the team head off for a training session as well as assistant manager Osian Roberts.
“I can't explain this happiness,” he told the Palace website. “It's unbelievable – it was the best day of my life. The celebrations were too much!
“It's crazy because we know it's the first trophy for Senegal, and for us also it means we are now in the story of Senegal. When we were younger and Senegal were playing, we would support the team. Now you are a player in the team and you bring home the cup.
“When you see the people's faces and they are so happy, you can't explain that.”
More footage of Kouyate’s first day back shows him going into the gym to be greeted by fellow midfielders Will Hughes and James McArthur as well as Danish international Joachim Andersen.
He can then be seen describing the scenes of Senegal’s fans welcoming the team back home after their victory to Jeffrey Schlupp as “crazy” as the two are on bikes.
Kouyate has been sorely missed while away on international duty, with Palace not picking up a single league win since he was last available to them.
There were successive home losses to West Ham and Liverpool followed by draws in their last three Premier League matches against Brighton, Norwich and Brentford.
The Eagles have managed to win twice in the FA Cup against Millwall and Hartlepool United, however, and will now have Kouyate available for the later rounds as well as this week's league game against Chelsea.
