Pape Gueye: Ex-France Youth Star Opts To Play For Senegal

Former France youth international Pape Gueye has pledged his international allegiance to Senegal, according to L’Équipe.

The 22-year-old striker who plays in Olympique de Marseille is eligible to play for the Teranga Lions as he holds dual-nationality and has not represented France at senior level.

Montreuil-born Pape scored one goal in 10 youth caps for France from U-18 and U-19 level.

He joined Blanc-Mensil FC at the age of six before moving to Le Harve where he graduated to the senior side in 2017.

Pape captained the side in Ligue 2 over the 2019/20 season and was one of the standout performers in the league with his commanding presence in midfield.

Standing at 1.87m in height, the defensive midfielder attracted widespread interest before Watford announced his capture in April 2020.

However, he changed the mind after just 17 hours and moved to Mrseille after claiming that claiming he had been “badly advised” to sign a five-year contract on a basic £45,000-a-month.

Pape is expected to make his Senegal debut in the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations that is set to begin in January in Cameroon.