Pape Alassane Gueye who has become the hero of African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 final match against the host nation, Morocco on Sunday, started his early football in the French youth football.
Born and raised in France, Gueye’s footballing education began at the renowned Le Havre academy. Though he represented France at the U-18 and U-19 levels, his heart remained with his Senegalese heritage. He made his senior debut for Senegal in 2021, just in time to play a pivotal role in their maiden AFCON victory in Cameroon.
While stars like Sadio Mané often command the headlines, Gueye was arguably Senegal’s most consistent performer throughout the 2025 campaign in Morocco.
He showcased his offensive range early in the tournament, scoring twice in the Round of 16 to drag Senegal from behind to a 3-1 victory.
In the final against Morocco, his physicality was key to neutralising a creative Moroccan midfield. His 94th-minute winner – a powerful strike that rattled off the crossbar – was his fifth goal for the national team.
Gueye is the modern “powerhouse” midfielder. Standing at 6’2″, he combines physical dominance with technical left-footed precision.
He excels at breaking up play and winning aerial duels. Unlike traditional “holding” players, Gueye is known for late runs into the box and a thunderous long-range shot, as evidenced by his winner in Rabat.
After a high-profile move from Olympique de Marseille to Villarreal on a free transfer in July 2024, Gueye has become a regular in the Spanish top flight. His performances in Morocco have already sparked transfer rumors, with clubs in the Premier League and Serie A reportedly monitoring the 26-year-old ahead of the January 2026 window.
Pape Gueye said after the match which Morocco: “I am happy to have won… but this is for the entire team. We had to dig deep, and we showed the heart of Lions.”
