Pape Gueye Announces National Team Break and Criticizes Senegal's Coaching Staff

In his Instagram Story, Gueye announced a withdrawal from the national team, tied to a clear condition. "I would like to announce today that, as long as this coaching staff is in office, I will be taking a break from the national team," he wrote. At the same time, he promised a more detailed statement: "I will come back again to say a few words about the exit," the post said.

Background: The Match Against Belgium

The sporting trigger was the World Cup round of 16 match against Belgium. Senegal had led 2:0 in Düsseldorf until the 86th minute before Romelu Lukaku (86') and Youri Tielemans in the 89th minute and in the fifth minute of stoppage time in extra time (120'+5) turned the match in favor of the Belgians. Gueye himself had already been substituted in the 66th minute — at a time when his team was still clearly in the lead.

The fact that Gueye was never used by coach Pape Thiaw for the full 90 minutes during the ongoing World Cup is considered remarkable. Across four World Cup matches, the left-footer recorded two goals and one assist, although in all cases he came on as a substitute — always in the decisive 5:0 win over Iraq that secured Senegal third place in the group and progression.

Coach Pape Thiaw and the Senegal Squad

Pape Thiaw has been in office as Senegal's national team coach since December 13, 2024 and is responsible for a squad with a total market value of 478.1 million euros that is competing in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying. In the group stage, Senegal had initially lost to Norway (2:3) and France (1:3) and thus faced pressure going into the final group match against Belgium.

The conflict between the coaching staff and one of the most important key players weighs all the heavier because Gueye had already experienced a controversial episode in the past: at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations on home soil, he had scored what appeared to be the winning goal in extra time, but the match was subsequently awarded 3:0 in favor of the hosts.

Reactions and Open Questions

There was initially no information available regarding the response in Senegal itself or any official reaction from the national federation to Gueye's announcement. Coach Thiaw has also not yet publicly commented on his midfielder's accusations. The coach is preparing with the team for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches.

Gueye's contract at FC Villarreal runs until June 30, 2028. At club level he is part of the regular lineup; with the national team his future remains uncertain for the time being — the condition under which he would end his break is one he has formulated himself: only once the current coaching staff is no longer in office.

The public announcement via Instagram is an unusual step in Senegalese football circles. Professionals from European leagues usually voice conflicts with national team coaches at press conferences or through official club channels, not on social networks.