Midfielder Pape Gueye has said he received an outpouring of support from Algerian fans following his decisive contribution in Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations 2025 final against Morocco, according to an interview with Sofoot.
Gueye, who scored in the final, played a key role in denying Morocco a second continental title. In the aftermath of the match, he said Algerian supporters, whose national side shares a long-standing sporting rivalry with Morocco, reacted enthusiastically to the result.
Speaking to Sofoot, Gueye described a surge in attention on social media, attributing it largely to messages from Algerian fans. He suggested their response had a tangible impact on his online following, which rose sharply after the match.
“The Algerians, forget about it… It’s thanks to them that I have a million followers on Instagram. They all messaged me after the match: ‘Bro, we’re so happy, thank you, we didn’t want Morocco to win!’ If I go to Algeria tomorrow, I think they’ll pick me up in a limousine,” he shared.
The comments highlight the intensity of regional rivalries in North African football, where matches involving Morocco and Algeria often carry significance beyond the pitch. Although Gueye does not play for either nation, his performance in the final appears to have resonated strongly with Algerian supporters, who viewed Morocco’s defeat as a favourable outcome.
Gueye’s remarks also underscore the growing influence of social media in modern football, where performances in major tournaments can rapidly translate into global attention and increased fan engagement. The midfielder indicated that much of his recent online growth came directly from individuals expressing appreciation for his role in the final.
While the Africa Cup of Nations is primarily a competition between national teams, the reaction described by Gueye illustrates how club and international players can become symbolic figures in broader rivalries, even when they are not directly involved in them.
Neither Algerian nor Moroccan football authorities have commented publicly on Gueye’s statements. However, the episode reflects the enduring passion that surrounds football in the region, particularly during high-stakes tournaments such as the CAN.
For Gueye, the experience appears to have been both surprising and memorable. His comments suggest he remains amused by the scale of the reaction, even joking about the reception he might receive if he were to visit Algeria.
The midfielder’s performance in the final has already secured his place in the tournament narrative. Now, his account of the aftermath offers a glimpse into how football results can ripple across borders, shaping fan sentiment far beyond the teams directly involved.
