In recent years, Senegal has emerged as one of the most successful nations in convincing dual-national footballers to pledge their international allegiance to the Lions of Teranga.
One of those players is Pape Gueye, the Villarreal midfielder who chose to represent Senegal over France in 2021.
Now, Gueye is playing an active role in persuading other players with Senegalese heritage to do the same. In an exclusive interview, he revealed that he regularly speaks to dual nationals about making the switch to Senegal instead of opting for European nations.
“Yes, I talk to players about this,” he admitted. “I won’t name names, but I try to explain to them why choosing Senegal is the right decision.”
Many dual nationals face difficult choices, torn between their country of birth and their ancestral roots. Gueye understands this dilemma well but insists that there is something unique about playing for Senegal.
“When you’re not in the national team, you can’t really know what it’s like,” he said. “But when you’re here, you realize how much it means.”
He recalled a conversation with Kalidou Koulibaly, the former Senegal captain, who initially played for France at youth level before switching allegiance.
“Koulibaly told me once, ‘If I had known what playing for Senegal was like, I would have come much earlier,’” Gueye revealed.
This sentiment has been echoed by other high-profile players like Edouard Mendy and Abdou Diallo, both of whom were eligible for France but chose Senegal instead.
For Gueye, representing Senegal goes beyond football—it’s about culture, identity, and family. He believes many dual nationals hesitate to switch because they don’t know what to expect.
“Some of them have never even been to Africa,” he said. “But once they come, they see the passion, the love from the fans, and they never look back.”
His message to players who are undecided between France and Senegal is clear:
“Don’t hesitate—choose Senegal.”
Senegal’s ability to recruit talented dual nationals has been a key factor in its rise as a footballing powerhouse.
Players like Sadio Mané, Ismaïla Sarr, Idrissa Gueye, and Pape Matar Sarr have helped turn Senegal into a force in African and world football.
With AFCON 2025 on the horizon, Gueye believes the squad will continue to strengthen as more players realize the value of representing Senegal.
“We have something special here,” he said. “And I want as many players as possible to experience it.”
As Senegal prepares for another shot at AFCON glory, its recruitment of dual-national stars remains an essential strategy for continued success.
And with players like Pape Gueye leading the charge, the Lions of Teranga are only going to get stronger.
