Senegal star Pape Gueye targets African Footballer of the Year award

Senegalese midfielder Pape Gueye has revealed that winning the African Ballon d’Or is one of his major personal ambitions after enjoying a remarkable year with Villarreal and the Senegal national team.

The 27-year-old has strengthened his reputation as one of Africa’s outstanding midfielders following his impressive performances at club and international level, with his contributions earning him recognition among the continent’s leading players.

Speaking on Canal+ Afrique, Gueye admitted that the prestigious individual award features among the targets he sets for himself at the beginning of every season.

The Villarreal midfielder enjoyed a memorable campaign, earning recognition as the best African player in La Liga before helping Senegal win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Gueye played a decisive role in Senegal’s triumph, scoring the winning goal in the final to help the Lions of Teranga secure the continental title. His performances throughout the campaign further enhanced his standing in African football and strengthened his ambitions of claiming the continent’s biggest individual honour.

Reflecting on his personal objectives, Gueye explained that he regularly sets measurable targets covering goals, assists, appearances and trophies, while also striving to improve his overall performance.

“I’m not one to boast, but at the start of the season, I always write down my targets for goals, assists, matches and trophies. The African Ballon d’Or was one of them.

“I do everything I can to improve every day so that I can reach this level of excellence with my club and my national team,” the Senegalese midfielder said.

His comments underline his determination to build on the success he has achieved with Villarreal and Senegal, while continuing to develop into one of the leading figures in African football.

Winning the African Ballon d’Or would represent another significant milestone in Gueye’s career, although competition for the award is expected to be strong, with several African stars also seeking recognition for their performances.

For now, the Senegal international remains focused on maintaining his consistency and delivering for both club and country as he pursues his ambition of being crowned Africa’s best player.