Senegal star Pape Gueye reflects on difficult La Liga start

Senegal international Pape Gueye has opened up about his challenging adaptation to Spanish football, revealing how an unexpected run of red cards marked the early stages of his career in La Liga.

Gueye struggled to settle after his move to Spain in 2023, when he joined Sevilla FC. Coming from French football, Gueye admitted that the tactical and physical demands of La Liga took him by surprise, particularly given the differences in style compared to what he had been used to in Ligue 1.

Now at Villarreal CF since the summer of 2024, the midfielder believes he has grown significantly, especially in technical areas, which he says are essential in a league that demands high-level ball control and tactical intelligence.

Reflecting on his difficult start, Gueye admitted that discipline was a major issue during his early months in Spain.

“At first it was a problem for me. I committed a lot of fouls in my first year. When I arrived at Sevilla, I picked up four red cards in six months, whereas at Marseille I’d only had one red card in four years. I wasn’t doing it on purpose, and at first the Spaniards told me it didn’t matter, but in the end they held it against me. It’s because they weren’t used to my build. I think that apart from Tchouameni, there aren’t many who are built like me,” he explained.

The midfielder believes his physical profile played a major role in how referees and opponents perceived his style of play in Spain.

“In Spain, I’m seen as a physical monster because I’m powerful, but I’ve improved a lot technically,” Gueye added.

He also admitted that he initially underestimated the level of competition in Spanish football before making the move, believing the league was dominated by only a handful of elite teams.

“Before going to Spain, I’d underestimated the league because I thought there were only four, five or six top-level teams. But when you look closely, Barça and Real struggle against teams like Osasuna because in this league, everyone starts from the goalkeeper. Which means it’s not easy.”

Despite the early setbacks, Gueye now feels more settled and better equipped for the demands of La Liga, having adapted both tactically and technically since his arrival in Spain.

His comments highlight the learning curve faced by many players moving from Ligue 1 to Spain, particularly in adapting to a league widely regarded for its technical depth and tactical complexity.