'Grandbrother' Gana Backs Ndiaye For Ballon d'Or

Idrissa Gana Gueye has backed Everton and Senegal teammate Iliman Ndiaye to become the next African Ballon d'Or winner.

The Blues' No.10 has been in fine form this season,, registering five goals for Club and country so far – including a stunning solo effort in the 1-1 draw at Sunderland earlier this month.

Speaking exclusively to Everton's Official Matchday Programme, Gana discussed the close relationship he enjoys with Ndiaye, while backing his compatriot to one day follow in the footsteps of George Weah, who is the only African player ever to have won the prestigious Ballon d'Or trophy.

"I challenge [Ndiaye] every game, every time we play," reveals Gana. "I'm always speaking to him. He's a good boy, he listens a lot and, yeah, I'm like his... grandbrother!

"I always knew he would be successful here at Everton and, honestly, I don't think he's shown his best yet.

"I train with him every day so I see his quality every day and I can see what he is capable of. He just needs to believe in himself, keep working hard and have high expectations of himself.

"I told him when he first arrived here that he can be the next African Balon d'Or winner, because he has the quality, he has the technique, he has the skills and everything. 

"He has a combination I've never seen it before.

"He's a humble guy. A very, very good guy. He's not shy – he likes to play and joke with everyone. Nobody ever has a problem with him because he is humble and always keeps working hard. You see in those videos even from when he was very young how hard he works and it's because he always wants to be better."

A topic every Evertonian would prefer not to think about is the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, with the tournament set to begin on 21 December and conclude on 18 January.

As well as enjoying a deep bond with Everton, Gana is also fiercely passionate about his nation.

Away from the pitch, Everton's No.27 continues his charitable work. He co-founded the For Hope Association and has subsequently raised millions of pounds for people fighting cancer and HIV/AIDS, as well as providing support for children and families in need.

Football-wise, he is Senegal's most-capped player of all time, having been capped on 120 occasions to date, and played a crucial role in the Lions of Teranga side that landed their first-ever AFCON crown in 2021.

"As young boys, we always dreamed of playing for our country, representing or country at the AFCON and in the World Cup," Gana explained.

"To win the AFCON for the first time for Senegal was just unbelievable. Now I want Skiliman [Ndiaye] to live this with me again.

"Of course, we are going there to win the tournament. We are not hiding our goals in that respect, because everyone know with our team that we can do it. 

"But, as we've seen in the past, it's not always the best team that wins tournaments, it's the best group. It will be difficult.

"It's up to us to listen to our manager and stay together. We will do everything we can, I know that.

On missing games for Everton as a consequence of the tournament, he continues: "Of course, it's a difficult thing. It's difficult for us as players to stop in the middle of the season for AFCON, switching from the Premier League to go straight into AFCON and then immediately back again, but this is the way it is.

"Our country is very important for us, the Club is very important, too. Of course, we'd prefer to play it in the summer but this is the situation we are in and we will give our best for both."