Senegal 'takes away' Pape Cheikh from the Spanish National Team

Senegal has called up Pape Cheikh (23 years old), a Celta youth squad who currently plays for Dijon and has dual nationality (Senegalese and Spanish). So far he had always played with Spain: 10 games with the U-19s (they were proclaimed European champions in 2015) and 3 with the U-21s.

In this way, Senegal finally gets a 'yes' that they have been looking for for years. When Pape was proclaimed champion of Europe with Spain in 2015, from his country of origin they tried at all costs to convince him. They offered to go directly with the absolute. However, at that time Pape always stated that he wanted to play with La Rojita.

However, that situation has changed because in the U-21 he dropped his prominence (three games) and because he currently plays in France. He considers that it is very difficult to be called up with the Spanish Absolute and he has opted for Senegal.

Pape always stated that he has a divided heart. He feels Senegalese because his mother and almost the whole family are there, which he visits whenever he can. Likewise, he feels Spanish because he arrived at the age of 14 without speaking a single word and with the only support of his uncle, who lived in Tenerife. In Spain he grew up as a footballer and as a person and feels deeply grateful. With a similar affinity for both countries, Pape has always made decisions based on sporting criteria. And he considers that now the best thing for his career is to play for Senegal.

Pape still had the option to decide, because he did not play with the Absolute of Spain and whenever he did with the inferiors, even if they were official competitions, he met the criteria required by FIFA: have dual nationality at the time of the match. Pape always kept the Senegalese passport, so there was time to change.

Pape Cheikh, for whom Lyon paid Celta 13 million euros in 2017, is currently playing on loan at Dijon, after returning to Vigo on loan last year. In Dijon he has recovered the level that earned him to sign for Lyon (to which he continues to belong) and has received the reward with the call from Aliou Cissé for the friendlies that the Africans will play against Morocco (October 9) and Mauritania (day 13).