1. Overview
Pape Alassane Gueye (Pape Alassane GueyeFrench; born 24 January 1999) is a Senegalese professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Villarreal and the Senegal national team. Born in Montreuil, France, Gueye began his youth career in France before turning professional. He is known for his dynamic presence as a box-to-box midfielder, characterized by an aggressive and competitive style of play, coupled with excellent game vision and physical strength. His career has seen him play for prominent clubs such as Le Havre, Marseille, and Sevilla, where he was part of the squad that won the 2022-23 UEFA Europa League. Internationally, Gueye has achieved significant success with Senegal, notably winning the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations and participating in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. His contributions have earned him recognition, including being appointed a Grand Officer of the National Order of the Lion.
2. Early Life and Youth Career
Pape Alassane Gueye was born on 24 January 1999, in Montreuil, France. He is of Senegalese descent. Gueye began his footballing journey at a young age, joining the youth academy of Blanc-Mesnil SF in 2005, where he developed his skills until 2012. He then moved to the youth setup of Le Havre AC in 2012, continuing his progression there until 2017. During his time in the youth ranks, Gueye honed his abilities, laying the groundwork for his professional career. His height is 74 in (189 cm).
3. Club Career
Pape Alassane Gueye's professional club career began in France and has since spanned across top European leagues, marked by a notable transfer controversy and successes in major competitions.
3.1. Le Havre
Gueye made his professional debut for Le Havre on 5 May 2017, in a Ligue 2 match against Chamois Niortais, which ended in a 0-0 draw. Following his debut, he signed his first professional contract with the club on 20 June 2017. Prior to his first team appearances, Gueye also played for Le Havre AC B, accumulating 39 appearances and scoring two goals between 2016 and 2019. During his time with the senior Le Havre squad, he made 39 appearances in the league, without scoring any goals, over four seasons.
3.2. Watford Transfer Controversy
On 29 April 2020, it was announced that Gueye had agreed to join English Premier League club Watford on a five-year contract, set to commence on 1 July 2020, upon the expiration of his contract with Le Havre. Promotional materials and a press release from Watford showed Gueye wearing the club's jersey, confirming the agreement. However, just 24 hours later, Watford agreed to a deal for Gueye's transfer to French Ligue 1 club Marseille, which included a sell-on clause for Watford. This sudden change sparked a significant controversy. Gueye claimed that his agent had provided "bad advice," stating that his contract with Watford contained a salary of 45.00 K GBP per month, not the 45.00 K GBP per week he was originally quoted by his agent. The dispute led to FIFA imposing a one-year transfer ban on Marseille and an activity suspension for Gueye on 15 January 2022.
3.3. Olympique de Marseille
Despite the controversy, Pape Gueye officially signed a four-year deal with Ligue 1 side Marseille on 1 July 2020. The transfer fee was reportedly 3.00 M EUR, equivalent to approximately 2.70 M GBP. During his initial period at Marseille, Gueye established himself as a key player in the midfield. He made 32 league appearances and played in four UEFA Champions League matches in his first season (2020-21). In the 2021-22 season, he continued to be a regular, making 28 league appearances and playing in 13 continental matches, which included six appearances in the UEFA Europa League and seven appearances with one goal in the UEFA Europa Conference League.
3.3.1. Loan to Sevilla
On 30 January 2023, Gueye was loaned to La Liga club Sevilla for the remainder of the 2022-23 season. During his loan spell, he made 16 league appearances and contributed to Sevilla's historic run in the UEFA Europa League. Although he was cup-tied and unable to feature in the later stages of the competition, he was part of the squad that ultimately won the 2022-23 UEFA Europa League, making him a joint winner.
3.4. Villarreal
On 5 July 2024, Pape Alassane Gueye returned to La Liga, joining Villarreal on a free transfer. He signed a four-year contract with the club.
4. International Career
Pape Alassane Gueye has had a notable international career, representing France at the youth level before committing to the Senegal senior national team, where he has achieved significant success.
4.1. Youth National Teams
Being born in France with Senegalese descent, Gueye initially represented France in his youth. He played for the France U-18 national team, making four appearances. Subsequently, he also featured for the France U-19 national team, where he earned six caps, without scoring any goals for either youth side.
4.2. Senior National Team
Despite playing for French youth teams, Pape Gueye ultimately decided to represent Senegal at the senior level. He made his debut for the Senegal national team on 14 November 2021, in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification match against the Congo, which Senegal won 2-0.
His international career quickly gained momentum as he was included in Senegal's squad for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. In a historic achievement, the Lions of Teranga, as the Senegal national team is known, went on to win the tournament for the first time in their history, with Gueye playing a vital role.
Following this success, Gueye was a key member of Senegal's squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He played in three of Senegal's four matches at the tournament, notably starting in the crucial 2-1 victory over Ecuador that secured Senegal's qualification for the round of 16, a feat not achieved by the nation since their debut in the 2002 FIFA World Cup. In December 2023, he was again named in Senegal's squad for the postponed 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, held in the Ivory Coast. He scored his first international goal on 15 January 2024, against Gambia during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, contributing to a 3-0 victory. His second international goal came on 11 October 2024, in a 4-0 win against Malawi during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification.
4.3. Awards and Recognition
In recognition of his significant contributions to Senegal's historic victory at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, Pape Gueye was appointed a Grand Officer of the National Order of the Lion. This prestigious state honor was bestowed upon him by President of Senegal Macky Sall.
5. Style of Play
Pape Alassane Gueye primarily plays as a defensive midfielder but is also noted for his capabilities as a box-to-box midfielder. He is characterized by an aggressive and highly competitive style of play, which allows him to cover significant ground and engage in numerous duels across the pitch. His distinctive on-field characteristics include a good game viewing ability, enabling him to read plays and distribute the ball effectively, and impressive physical strength, which he leverages in defensive duties and duels. Gueye is also a left-footed player.
6. Honours
Pape Alassane Gueye has accumulated several major titles and recognitions throughout his club and international career.
Marseille
- Trophée des Champions runner-up: 2020
Sevilla
- UEFA Europa League: 2022-23
Senegal
- Africa Cup of Nations: 2021
Individual
- Grand Officer of the National Order of the Lion: 2022
7. Career Statistics
Detailed statistical information for Pape Alassane Gueye's club and international career is presented below, including appearances and goals across various competitions.
7.1. Club Statistics
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | League Cup | Continental | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Le Havre B | 2016-17 | Championnat National 2 | 11 | 1 | - | - | - | - | 11 | 1 | ||||
| 2017-18 | 18 | 1 | - | - | - | - | 18 | 1 | ||||||
| 2018-19 | 10 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 10 | 0 | ||||||
| Total | 39 | 2 | - | - | - | - | 39 | 2 | ||||||
| Le Havre | 2016-17 | Ligue 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2017-18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 1 | 0 | ||||
| 2018-19 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | - | 14 | 0 | ||||
| 2019-20 | 25 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 26 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 39 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | - | 42 | 0 | ||||
| Marseille | 2020-21 | Ligue 1 | 32 | 2 | 2 | 0 | - | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 39 | 2 | |
| 2021-22 | 28 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | 13 | 1 | - | 42 | 1 | ||||
| 2022-23 | 14 | 1 | 2 | 0 | - | 3 | 0 | - | 19 | 1 | ||||
| 2023-24 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | - | 0 | 0 | - | 15 | 1 | ||||
| Total | 89 | 4 | 5 | 0 | - | 20 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 115 | 5 | |||
| Sevilla (loan) | 2022-23 | La Liga | 16 | 1 | - | - | 0 | 0 | - | 16 | 1 | |||
| Villarreal | 2024-25 | La Liga | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | 0 | 0 | |||
| Career total | 183 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 20 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 222 | 8 | ||
7.2. International Statistics
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senegal | 2021 | 1 | 0 |
| 2022 | 14 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 9 | 2 | |
| Total | 26 | 2 | |
Scores and results list Senegal's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Gueye goal.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15 January 2024 | Charles Konan Banny Stadium, Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast | Gambia | 1-0 | 3-0 | 2023 Africa Cup of Nations |
| 2 | 11 October 2024 | Diamniadio Olympic Stadium, Diamniadio, Senegal | Malawi | 1-0 | 4-0 | 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |