Having arrived at Udinese last summer from FC Metz, Idrissa Gueye is gradually adapting to the demands of Serie A. Work, ambitions and integration, the young Senegalese speaks candidly in this exclusive interview.

In a season marked by the demanding nature and consistency of the Italian league, Udinese is moving forward with ambition and determination. Between its collective strength, the intensity required by Serie A, and the gradual integration of new talent, the Friulian club is seeking to build a positive and sustainable dynamic. It is in this competitive context that Idrissa Gueye, the Senegalese international who previously played for FC Metz, is experiencing top-level European football for the first time. Hardworking, ambitious, and focused on the present, the Udinese player shares his thoughts on his adaptation, his goals, and his first steps in Italian football in this exclusive interview. He also reflects on Senegal's victory at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after that historic final against Morocco.

"This is not the first time I have cried for Senegal."

Foot Mercato: Even though you weren't in Morocco, how did you react to Senegal's victory in the AFCON?

Idrissa Gueye: When I talk about Senegal, I speak from the heart. The AFCON, honestly? I was so happy. It's not the first time I've cried for Senegal. When we won it in 2021, I cried. This year, when Brahim Diaz scored the penalty, I cried. And when we won, I cried again. I was so happy. I can't even tell you how happy I was when we won the AFCON.

FM: When Pape Thiaw asked the players to leave the field, how did you react?

IG: I agreed. If the group agrees, I agree. Then Sadio asked to come back, but you know, in moments like that, with nerves, rising tension, problems with the referee… it's normal for them to react like that. But in the end, God is just and He always delivers justice.

FM: How do you see the near future? There's an AFCON in 2027 and even a World Cup in six months, is that a goal?

IG: Yes, it's a goal. I'm working hard, but you know, when you're not getting playing time, you can't get called up to the national team. You have to keep working to give yourself the opportunity to dream and make the list, God willing. As a side note, the current coach, Pape Thiaw, is the one who called me up to the national team for the first time. If I ever flew on a plane for the first time in my life, it was thanks to him, during a pre-selection friendly match in Algeria. If I've played for the national team, it's thanks to him. He knows me well; he used to watch me when I was playing in the local league in Senegal. In any case, I'm working hard.

FM: We remember the World Cup where you performed well with the U17 team despite being eliminated in the round of 16.

IG: This World Cup was the best competition I've ever played in. The team dynamic, the staff… It was like a family. We got along so well that none of us wanted it to end. Even before we were eliminated, we joked amongst ourselves, "If we win the cup, we'd like this time together to continue." It was that great. We wished each other well, hoping everyone would do their part.

FM: You even played in that famous round of 16 match against France… A very close game

IG: But the match against France, I can say it was a very good match that we could have won, but we missed a lot of chances up front. You know, it's destiny, it's what God had written. It was written that way. But in any case, it was a great World Cup. I scored a hat trick against Poland, I have very good memories of it. The Senegalese were happy, my family too, so that's the main thing.

FM: There's also the star Amara Diouf, with whom you played. His injury held him back for two years. Do you think he can become a great player?

IG: Amara is already one of the great players. Like I said, what happened to him could happen to anyone. It's God's will. Look at me: I had a double fracture, then I went to Metz for six months of rehab before coming back to Senegal. There are friends a thousand times better than me, but unfortunately, they're still in Senegal… Only God gives, and He will give you what's best for you. Sometimes, you might go down a path that isn't necessarily beneficial for you. When your time comes, it's okay. But Amara is truly a very good player, and he still is. He believes in himself, so we'll pray that he gets back to his best, signs a professional contract, and can help his family.

"I'm making great progress in Italy."

FM: How has your adaptation been since your arrival in Udine, particularly your relationship with your coach Kosta Runjaić?

IG: I settled in right away. Things are going really well with my teammates. The city is superb, everything is great. Honestly, since I arrived, I feel good here. The coach talks to me all the time, he helps me a lot. I'm making a lot of progress, so it's all good. I feel good with him, so it's all good.

FM: What are your personal goals for the rest of the season with Udinese?

IG: First, I'm aiming for much more playing time. Then, I also want to score goals, that's what all strikers say (laughs). That's what I'm working on right now. Anyway, that's the goal. The coach is helping me improve. It's going to take as long as it takes. That's the goal. The goal is to get a minimum amount of playing time and score at least 10 or 15 goals. I can say it's possible, but it requires work.

FM: You played in Ligue 1 previously, what differences do you notice as a striker compared to Serie A?

IG: Here, I can say it's a bit tougher, especially when you're a striker. It's a bit tougher because there are a lot of things we have to work on. It's not easy. Here, the defenders are strong, so you have to work hard to control the midfield, to keep possession, to make runs, because the defenders here are really tough. That's why since I arrived, I haven't stopped working, I've been working hard, I've been working. Before and after training. I go to the gym, I do strength training. It's really tough.

FM: How do your French-speaking teammates (Hassane Kamara, Arthur Atta, Oumar Solet, Christian Kabasele…) help you on a daily basis?

IG: It helped me a lot because they also talk to me often. Sometimes I do things and then they come talk to me: "You shouldn't do that, you should do this instead." They also tell me things like, "That's what we want, it's better to do this, when you get back, do this." They help me a lot. Seriously, they're cool guys. They're more than brothers. Honestly, I admire them a lot.

FM: Can you tell us about your time in Metz?

IG: I arrived in Metz in August 2024 for my rehabilitation. After that, I signed my contract, my first professional contract, in January 2025. I spent six months with Metz. Those six months were incredible because I was reunited with my Senegalese brothers. There were some I played with in Senegal, like Alpha, Ibrahim, Pape, and Malik, at Génération Foot. I spent some incredible moments with them. They taught me so much. They helped me a lot. Honestly, it was… I can't find the right words, but honestly, I was happy with them. It did me good.

FM: How do you see your future today, at Udinese or elsewhere?

IG: For now, I'm not talking about the future. I'm talking about the present, because I'm in Udine and I like talking about Udine because I want to achieve something here. If I haven't done something big here yet, I can't talk about the future. To talk about the future, you have to do something first. Then you can talk about the future. Right now, I only want to talk about Udinese. I want to help the team achieve its goals.