Senegal international Pape Gueye has announced he will take a break from playing for the national team while the current coaching setup remains in charge.
The 27-year-old midfielder made the statement following Senegal’s dramatic exit from the World Cup last-32 stage against Belgium.
The match saw Senegal, coached by Pape Thiaw, surrender a 2–0 lead after goals from Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr, before Belgium responded through Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans to force extra time. A controversial late penalty in the 125th minute ultimately sealed Senegal’s elimination.
Gueye, who plays his club football for Villarreal in Spain, started the match but was substituted in the 66th minute. After the defeat, he wrote on social media that he would return “to say a few words about the elimination,” but confirmed he would step away from international duty for as long as the current coaching staff remains in place. The midfielder has earned 45 caps for Senegal and scored twice at international level.
The decision comes against a backdrop of ongoing controversy surrounding Thiaw’s tenure, including Senegal’s involvement in a disputed Africa Cup of Nations final that was later overturned by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Senegal were initially involved in a dramatic final against Morocco, which ended amid controversy before CAF later awarded the title to Morocco.
