Pape Gueye: Villarreal coach explains absence of midfielder

Senegal midfielder Pape Gueye has missed the last two LaLiga matches for Villarreal despite being fit to feature.

Gueye’s last game was against Celta Vigo on April 26, which Villarreal won 2-1 despite the Lion of Teranga conceding a penalty.

He has gone ahead to miss the 1-1 draw against Real Oviedo, and Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Real Mallorca. Speaking after the game, Villarreal coach Marcelino Garci explained his decision to omit Gueye.

Gueye will be available for Sevilla

“Will we see Pape Gueye in the upcoming matches? Yes, he’s available,” Garci said as quoted by Wiw Sport.

“He was supposed to play in the last match, but he felt a slight muscle strain during training the day before. We had him undergo tests to find out more and avoid taking any risks. In the end, we didn’t take any risks.

He’s a player who has a World Cup to play in. But now he’s here. I think that if nothing happens in the final training session (Tuesday), he’ll be fit and able to play. He’ll be available for the match (against Sevilla).”

Gueye has been a crucial, high-impact defensive midfielder for Villarreal during the 2025-26 season, solidifying his spot in the squad after joining on a free transfer in July 2024.

Known for his physical presence, he has been a consistent performer in LaLiga and Copa del Rey matches, often featuring prominently under Marcelino. As of March 2026, Gueye has managed over 25 La Liga appearances, demonstrating strong presence in the defensive midfield.

Gueye scored in AFCON final

Gueye made his professional debut for Le Havre in a 0-0 Ligue 2 tie with Chamois Niortais in 2017, and signed his first professional contract on June 20, 2017.

Despite representing France national U-18 team and the France U-19s, he decided to represent Senegal on senior level. He debuted with the Senegal national team in a 2-0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification win over Congo in 2021.

Gueye scored the winning goal for Senegal in a 1-0 victory against Morocco in extra time, leading Senegal to win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, however, the match was later deemed forfeited by Senegal and the victory was awarded to Morocco.