Nigeria: Nicolas Pépé backs Pape Gueye for the next African Ballon d'Or

The arguments in favor of the Senegalese player

According to Afrik-Foot, Nicolas Pépé believes that his club partner's performances fully justify the award. The 31-year-old player stated in an interview with DAZN: "Pape Gueye was the best African player of the season in La Liga, won the Africa Cup of Nations, scored in the final, and he is performing well. If he wins it, it is fully deserved! We haven't talked about it, he doesn't talk too much about all of that."

The media outlet specifies that Pape Gueye had a remarkable individual season with the Yellow Submarine in 2025-2026. He also stood out during the 2026 World Cup, notably scoring a brace in a match against Iraq.

A title tied to a legal decision

The Senegalese player's status as the favorite nevertheless depends on an ongoing procedure. According to Afrik-Foot, Pape Gueye's fate is linked to the CAS verdict regarding a dispute related to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. If the Court of Arbitration for Sport issues a decision favorable to Senegal, the midfielder would take the lead to succeed Morocco's Achraf Hakimi. Otherwise, the Moroccan defender would retain strong chances of securing a back-to-back win.

LOSC and the English transfer market

Meanwhile, the Lille club continues to stand out for its ability to transfer players to the Premier League. Among these former players are notably Gabriel, Nicolas Pépé, and Eden Hazard.