Madar (Dakar) - Villarreal and Senegal midfielder Pape Gueye says the African Ballon d'Or was one of his goals this season, in an interview with Canal+ Sport Afrique reported by Le Soleil and wiwsport on Tuesday, 27 October 2026.
Gueye, who scored the decisive goal in the Africa Cup of Nations final won by Senegal, said he writes down his targets at the start of every season, including goals, assists, matches played and team and individual trophies, and that the African Ballon d'Or was among them, while stressing that the choice lies with the voters. According to wiwsport, he and Ismaila Sarr are among the Senegalese candidates for the award.
He also addressed his decision to step back from the national team after the World Cup, citing his frustration at being substituted early in the defeat to Belgium: "I'm human, it was the last straw and I reacted in the heat of the moment." He said he had turned the page and wants to help win the next Cup of Nations.
Gueye cited El-Hadji Diouf and Sadio Mane, the only Senegalese winners of the award, as legends, and said winning it would make him immensely proud. He added that he has found his "best level" again at Villarreal, where he has played for three years and chose to stay despite interest from other clubs in the summer.
