Senegal national team midfielder Pape Gueye has said he will “take a break” from playing for his country as long as the coaching staff is still in place.
The 27-year-old’s statement came after Senegal, coached by Pape Thiaw, suffered a humiliating defeat to Belgium in the round of 16 of the World Cup.
Habib Diarra and Ismaila Sarr had put Senegal 2-0 up, but late goals from Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans sent the game into extra time.
Belgium were awarded a controversial penalty in the 125th minute, which Tielemans converted, sending Senegal out of the tournament.
Gueye, who plays for Spanish club Villarreal CF, started the match but was replaced by Lamine Camara in the 66th minute.
In a message on social media, Gueye said:
“I will come back to say a few words about this dismissal… but today I announce that as long as these coaches are training us, I will take a break from playing for the national team.”
Gueye has been capped 45 times by Senegal, and scored twice in Senegal’s victory over Iraq in the group stage of the World Cup.
Pape Thiaw took charge of the Senegal national team in December 2024, and was at the centre of the controversy that led to Senegal being stripped of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
In the final match in January, Thiaw led his players off the pitch after Morocco were awarded a penalty in extra time.
The Senegalese players returned to the pitch after about 17 minutes. Brahim Díaz’s penalty was saved by the goalkeeper, and Pape Gueye scored the winner in extra time.
However, in March, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) declared Morocco the winners of the tournament, after the match was annulled because Senegal had left the pitch.
Senegal has appealed the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, hoping to have the trophy returned.
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