Since making his international debut in November 2022, Pape Gueye has steadily grown into an important player for Senegal’s national team.
The Villarreal midfielder was a key figure in AFCON 2025 qualifiers, starting four out of Senegal’s six matches.
In midfield, he plays alongside a mix of experience and young talent, forming a strong core with Idrissa Gueye, Pape Matar Sarr, and Lamine Camara.
In this exclusive interview with Foot Mercato, Pape Gueye opens up about his decision to play for Senegal, his ambitions for AFCON 2025, and his deep connection to the national team.
Q&A with Pape Gueye
FM: In 2021, you chose to represent Senegal. What has this brought to your career since then?
Pape Gueye: I think it’s one of the best choices of my career, to represent Senegal. I arrived in the national team and was immediately surrounded by big names like Sadio Mané, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Édouard Mendy.
You learn so much in an environment like this. When you come in as a young player, you listen and absorb everything. Playing for your country is different from playing for a club—it’s a matter of the heart.
For me, Senegal is a responsibility and an honor. I give my all for my club, but when you represent your nation, it carries a deeper meaning.
FM: How did you make the decision to join Senegal?
PG: I remember Aliou Cissé calling me, but I had just joined Marseille and had a lot of goals to accomplish there. I told him that I wanted to establish myself at club level before committing to the national team.
When I finally joined, I was welcomed with open arms. The team has a great mentality, and I was pleasantly surprised by how unified everyone was.
I had heard stories about how some African teams struggle with internal conflicts, but with Senegal, it’s the opposite. We are a family.
We all want to play, but if someone else is selected instead of you, you accept it because you know they will give their best for the team. There’s no ego here, despite having so many big players. That’s what makes us strong.
FM: As a former dual-national, do you try to convince other players to join Senegal?
PG: Yes, I talk to some players privately, but I won’t mention names. Many players are hesitant because they don’t know what to expect.
Even Kalidou Koulibaly once told me, “If I had known Senegal was like this, I would have come much earlier.” I also took time to decide because when you’re not part of the team, you don’t fully understand the environment.
Some players have never been to Africa before making their decision, so they have natural apprehensions. But I tell them: you are representing your roots, your parents’ homeland—there’s nothing better than that.
FM: You seem very involved in the squad, even learning Wolof. How important is that to you?
PG: Yes, it’s important. Maybe one day, I’ll live in Senegal. It’s not just about playing matches. Representing the national team means more than just football.
When you play for Senegal, you become part of the culture, the people, and their dreams. You can’t just come, play a few games, and leave—it’s about embracing the entire experience.
FM: You experienced Senegal’s AFCON 2023 elimination against Côte d’Ivoire, even though you didn’t play. How did you feel?
PG: I wanted to play, but I knew I wasn’t at 100%. I couldn’t be at 50% while another player on the bench was at 100%, so I made the decision with the coach not to play.
When you’re on the pitch, at least you can fight to change the game. But from the bench, I felt completely powerless. It was a painful experience, but it also taught us valuable lessons.
FM: Would you rather win AFCON or reach the World Cup semi-final with Senegal?
PG: I would choose winning AFCON every single day!
Anyone who says otherwise is lying. When you see what winning AFCON means to the people, it’s unmatched.
Even a World Cup final wouldn’t compare. The joy of bringing that AFCON trophy home is something indescribable.
FM: Aliou Cissé recently left after nearly a decade as head coach. How did the team take the news
PG: We were all disappointed. The senior players, in particular, were affected.
I sent him a message to thank him because he was the one who called me to the national team.
He was an incredible motivator. I remember when I first arrived, he told me:
“This is not Europe. Here, we don’t play out from the back. Here, it’s about winning duels, fighting for every ball. This is Africa.”
Cissé was the first coach to bring AFCON back to Senegal. His legacy will always be respected.
FM: What are your personal and team goals for Senegal?
PG: As a team, our main goal is to win AFCON 2025.
Personally, I want to continue earning my place in the squad. Every call-up is an honor, and I never take it for granted. I’ve had a lot of playing time over the past year, and I want to keep improving.
FM: You play alongside Lamine Camara in midfield. What do you think of his development?
PG: Lamine is exceptional. What he’s doing at Monaco at such a young age is incredible.
He was already a revelation at AFCON 2023, and he’s only going to get better. He listens, works hard, and has all the qualities to become one of the best.
At his age, performing like this is rare, and I make sure to remind him of that. He has a bright future ahead of him.
