Senegal midfielder Pape Gueye has announced he will be “taking a break” from the national team while the current management remains in place, plunging the Teranga Lions into fresh turmoil just days after their dramatic World Cup exit.
The 27-year-old Villarreal player made the declaration on social media, saying he would “come back to say a few words about the elimination” but that his decision was final for now: “I am announcing today that as long as this coaching staff is in place, I will be taking a break from the national team.”
“Pape Gueye says he will take a break from Senegal while current coaching staff remains.”
Gueye’s announcement follows a wrenching last‑32 defeat to Belgium, where Senegal squandered a 2‑0 lead. Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr had put the Lions deservedly ahead, only for late goals from Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans to force extra time. In the 125th minute Belgium were awarded a controversial penalty, and Tielemans converted from the spot to knock Senegal out.
Gueye, who has 45 caps and scored twice in Senegal’s group‑stage win over Iraq, started the match but was replaced by Lamine Camara after 66 minutes.
The rift with the coaching staff is the latest episode in a turbulent period for Senegal under manager Pape Thiaw, who took charge in December 2024. Thiaw was at the heart of the controversy that saw Senegal stripped of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title. In January’s Afcon final, Thiaw ushered his team off the pitch when Morocco were awarded a stoppage‑time penalty. The players returned after a delay of about 17 minutes, and Brahim Diaz’s penalty was saved before Gueye scored an extra‑time winner. However, in March the Confederation of African Football overturned the result, declaring Morocco the champions. Senegal have lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport in a bid to regain the title.
Gueye’s self‑imposed exile now threatens to deepen the uncertainty around a team already embroiled in off‑pitch battles, with the appeal over the Afcon final still unresolved.