Pape Gueye, former midfielder for Olympique de Marseille, recently opened up about his shocking experience of betrayal at the hands of someone he considered close. The young Senegalese player, now with Villarreal, recounted the story during his appearance on the YouTube podcast Oui Hustle, explaining how he was defrauded by a Senegalese social media influencer. Gueye's revelations shed light on the vulnerabilities athletes can face off the field and the deeply personal consequences of misplaced trust.
Gueye, 26, initially joined Marseille from Le Havre in 2020, immersing himself in the city's passionate football culture. While he quickly became aware of the intense scrutiny athletes face from fans and social media, it was his personal relationships off the pitch—particularly one with this influencer—that would lead to significant distress. “I was at Marseille and there was this Snapchat influencer, someone people knew. I took him under my wing, treating him almost like my little brother,” Gueye shared. His kindness, which included inviting this influencer to matches and opening doors for him during events like Senegal’s African Cup of Nations, would later come back to haunt him.
During his time with Marseille, Gueye became increasingly aware of how the constant barrage of online commentary could affect players' mental health. "The first reflex of players after a match is to check their phones. I've seen so many players do it—immediately after the game, they’re on Twitter, searching for their names and the comments about them. That’s like shooting yourself in the foot!" he advised, insisting this was why he stayed away from Twitter. Nevertheless, the impact of social media on player psyche was far from his only concern.
Reflecting on the friendship with the influencer, Gueye expressed how devastating the experience was: “I always welcomed him to my home. I was careful about who I let inside, but I felt comfortable with him. One day, during a moment of distraction, he snapped a photo of my Senegalese bank card.” It was not until months later when Gueye discovered the influencer was using his card to transfer money through PayPal, circumventing notifications to Gueye about the transactions.
This shocking betrayal might have taken him by surprise, but Gueye noted the incident prompted him to rethink his relationships. “You have to be careful with everyone. I’ve also experienced betrayal from one of my best friends,” he said, acknowledging the painful lessons he learned. Despite this unfortunate chapter, Gueye reassured fans the matter was resolved quickly as the influencer returned all the money. “He reimbursed me quickly, thankfully it was resolved,” he added, but emphasized the necessity of vigilance when it came to personal connections.
Throughout his trials, Pape Gueye has persevered, now establishing himself with Villarreal, where he has played 22 matches this season. His transition to Spanish football appears to be going well, with Marcelino's leadership benefiting Gueye as he starts to find his footing. Yet, the harrowing experience with the influencer has stayed with him as more than just a dark memory—it serves as a cautionary tale for those who trust too easily.
While he enjoys his time at Villarreal, where he is finally gaining recognition as a regular starter, the player remains tethered to his past and the lessons learned from the streets of Marseille. Gueye’s experience invites reflection not only on the cutthroat world of professional football but also on the importance of discernment and caution when it involves friendships and trust.
Through sharing his story, Gueye hopes to shed light on the underbelly of fame and the need for athletes to navigate their social circles wisely. This cautionary tale stands as a reminder to both fans and players alike about the risks associated with public life, the wisdom of protecting oneself from betrayal, and the value of genuine relationships borne from trust.