Idrissa Gueye backs Senegal star Iliman Ndiaye for next African Ballon d’Or award

Idrissa Gana Gueye has tipped Everton and Senegal teammate Iliman Ndiaye to become the next African Ballon d’Or winner in the near future.

So far this season, Ndiaye has registered five goals for the Premier League club, and country – including a stunning solo effort in the 1-1 draw at Sunderland early in November.

According to Gueye, Ndiaye has got all the qualities to one day follow in the footsteps of George Weah, who is the only African player ever to have won the prestigious Ballon d’Or trophy.

“I challenge [Ndiaye] every game, every time we play,” said Gueye as quoted by Everton website. “I’m always speaking to him. He’s a good boy, he listens a lot and, yeah, I’m like his… grandbrother!

“I always knew he would be successful here at Everton and, honestly, I don’t think he’s shown his best yet. I train with him every day so I see his quality every day and I can see what he is capable of. He just needs to believe in himself, keep working hard and have high expectations of himself.”

Ndiaye has qualities to be next African Ballon d’Or winner

Gueye continued: “I told him when he first arrived here that he can be the next African Ballon d’Or winner, because he has the quality, he has the technique, he has the skills and everything.

“He has a combination I’ve never seen before. He’s a humble guy. A very, very good guy. He’s not shy – he likes to play and joke with everyone.

“Nobody ever has a problem with him because he is humble and always keeps working hard. You see in those videos even from when he was very young how hard he works and it’s because he always wants to be better.”

On how they felt to win the 2021 AFCON with Senegal, Gueye said: “As young boys, we always dreamed of playing for our country, representing our country at the AFCON and in the World Cup.

“To win the AFCON for the first time for Senegal was just unbelievable. Now I want Skiliman [Ndiaye] to live with me again.”

Gueye and Ndiaye are set to be absent for up to a month starting from mid-December, with Senegal, who are pre-tournament favourites, in action at the Africa Cup of Nations.

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