Villarreal honoured African champion Pape Gueye with a pre-match tribute ahead of their LaLiga fixture against Real Madrid, as the midfielder received a warm reception from supporters at the Estadio de la Cerámica.
Moments before kick-off on Saturday night, the Senegal international was presented with a commemorative boot in the colours of Villarreal, marking his recent continental success.
The gesture was met with sustained applause from the crowd, which rose to acknowledge the achievement of the midfielder in a moment of celebration inside the stadium.
The tribute echoed a similar ceremony organised by the club in 2022 for Boulaye Dia, underlining Villarreal’s tradition of recognising players who achieve major international honours while representing the club.
On this occasion, the focus was firmly on Gueye, whose African title has been a point of pride for both the player and his club.
As the presentation took place on the pitch, the stadium announcer drew attention to the significance of the moment, while the applause continued across the stands.
In a notable scene, the director also went to fetch Real Madrid midfielder Brahim Diaz, whose presence during the tribute added to the symbolism of the occasion.
The sequence unfolded calmly and respectfully, reinforcing the sense of unity surrounding the celebration. Both sets of players were on the field as the tribute concluded, allowing the focus to remain on Gueye’s achievement before attention shifted back to the league encounter.
Gueye, who has become an important figure in Villarreal’s midfield, has been widely praised for his consistency and experience.
The tribute served as public recognition of his contribution at international level, while also highlighting Villarreal’s appreciation of its players beyond club competition.
The applause from the Cerámica reflected the club’s desire to honour success achieved on the global stage, regardless of domestic rivalries.
The respectful atmosphere set the tone for the evening, with Villarreal supporters ensuring the midfielder’s moment was marked with dignity.
As the ceremony came to an end, Gueye acknowledged the crowd before preparations for the match resumed.
The tribute stood as a reminder of football’s capacity to celebrate achievement across borders and competitions, even on nights dominated by high-profile league fixtures.
🇸🇳🇲🇦 Pape Gueye, autor del gol de la final en la Copa Africana, recibe un reconocimiento por parte del Villarreal.
Aplaude en el banco un Brahim Diaz con cara de “qué hago acá”.pic.twitter.com/frno3OFGVg
— Nahuel Lanzón (@nahuelzn) January 24, 2026
