Nicolas Pepe has selected Senegal midfielder Pape Gueye as his choice to win the 2026 African Ballon d’Or, overlooking fellow Ivory Coast international Yan Diomande.
The award will be presented in Lagos, Nigeria, on 7 December, although the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has not yet announced the shortlist. The winner will succeed Morocco and Paris St-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi.
Pepe, 31, made his preference clear during an interview with DAZN, where he was asked about the leading contenders. Rather than supporting Diomande, his Ivory Coast team-mate, the winger backed Gueye, who plays alongside him at Villarreal.
“If he wins, it is totally deserved,” said Pepe, who has won 59 international caps and scored 14 goals for the Elephants.
Gueye, 27, has made 48 appearances for Senegal and scored seven goals. Pepe believes his team-mate’s case is built on an outstanding individual campaign with Villarreal during the 2025-2026 season, combined with a prominent role for the Lions of Teranga at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The midfielder scored the only goal in the final of that tournament before Senegal were stripped of the title by CAF, with Morocco subsequently awarded the trophy. Gueye was also one of Senegal’s key performers at the 2026 World Cup.
He scored twice and provided an assist in a crucial group-stage victory over Iraq. The former Marseille player then delivered another strong performance in the last-32 tie, before being substituted in what was described as inexplicable circumstances during the defeat by Belgium.
A ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) could have a major bearing on the award. Should the tribunal rule in Senegal’s favour in the dispute over the Africa Cup of Nations, Gueye would become the clear favourite for the African Ballon d’Or.
If the decision goes against Senegal, Hakimi would be well placed to claim the prize for a second consecutive year.
The CAF award ceremony is scheduled to take place in Lagos on 7 December, with the organisation still yet to reveal the nominees.