African Ballon d'Or: "If he wins, it's fully deserved," Nicolas Pépé votes for a Senegalese

Nicolas Pépé has expressed his support for Senegalese midfielder Pape Gueye as the favorite for the 2026 African Ballon d'Or, favoring him over Ivorian Yan Diomandé. He highlighted Gueye's outstanding performance in the 2025-2026 season in La Liga, his victory in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, and his performances in the 2026 World Cup. The final decision depends on the outcome of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS) ruling on Gueye's suspension related to the CAN, which could make him the frontrunner if the tribunal rules in favor of Senegal.