Following Senegal’s elimination from the 2026 World Cup, forward Nicolas Jackson has publicly and vehemently denied accusations of alcohol consumption. The controversy began with rumors spread after the team’s loss, prompting Jackson to initially issue a general denial. However, he escalated the situation by directly confronting former international Paul Keita on Instagram, accusing him of deliberately spreading false information. Jackson used strong language, telling Keita to "stop lying" and questioning his relevance to the national team. He maintains he has "never drunk alcohol" and expressed respect for his teammates and the national jersey. This outburst demonstrates a significant shift in tone from his initial response, directly challenging his accuser amidst a tense atmosphere surrounding the team’s World Cup exit.