Pape Gueye declares African Ballon d’Or ambition ahead of 2026 award

Home Home Latest News Latest News World Footaball World Footaball Ghana Players Abroad Ghana Players Abroad Ghana Premier League Ghana Premier League National Teams National Teams Videos Videos Black Stars Black Stars Transfer News & Rumours Transfer News & Rumours Kotoko Kotoko Hearts Of Oak Hearts Of Oak Pape Gueye declares African Ballon d’Or ambition ahead of 2026 award 27 October 2026 Share this with Email Share this with Facebook Share this with Twitter Share this with Whatsapp Pape Gueye has publicly put himself forward as a contender for the 2026 Ballon d’Or Africain, with the award due to be presented in Lagos, Nigeria, on 7 December.

The Villarreal midfielder said he believed he had a realistic chance of winning the prize after a season in which he was named the best African player in the Spanish league.

Speaking on Canal+ Sport Afrique’s Talents d’Afrique, the Senegal international made no secret of his ambition. “I have done quite a few good things,” Gueye said, expressing his hope of being crowned African football’s leading player.

The 27-year-old has won 48 caps for Senegal and scored seven goals for his country. His case also includes a decisive contribution in the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, when he scored the only goal of the match.

However, that result was subsequently overturned by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeal Jury, which ruled in favour of Morocco. A decision from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), expected at the end of November, could have an impact on the Ballon d’Or Africain selection process.

Gueye’s performances have already earned him public backing from Villarreal team-mate Nicolas Pepe. The Cote d’Ivoire international said in an interview with DAZN in mid-October that Gueye would be a fully deserving winner if he claimed the award.

“If he wins it, it would be totally deserved,” Pepe said.

The forthcoming ceremony in Lagos will therefore take place against the backdrop of the unresolved ruling over the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final. Gueye is already an announced candidate, while the CAS verdict could prove significant in determining how his contribution to that tournament is assessed.

The former OM player is seeking recognition for a season that has included individual honours in Spain, a major international final goal and continued involvement with the Senegal national team.