Idrissa Gana Gueye has been singing the praises of one Everton star, and he genuinely believes he’s good enough to win the Ballon d’Or one day.
Everton have some really talented players in their squad after David Moyes spent over £100m in the summer transfer window.
Jack Grealish has been one of the standout performers after joining on a season-long loan from Manchester City.
James Garner has also impressed, and Moyes believes he should be considered by Thomas Tuchel for an England call-up.
Another Toffees star is continuing to shine, and Idrissa Gana Gueye has been discussing just how good he is.
Everton playmaker Iliman Ndiaye.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Idrissa Gana Gueye says Iliman Ndiaye can win the Ballon d’Or
Speaking to Everton’s website, Gueye explained that he told Iliman Ndiaye when he first joined Everton that he’s got the ability to win the Ballon d’Or in the future.
“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,” Gueye said.
“I told him when he first arrived here that he can be the next African Ballon d’Or winner, because he has the quality, he has the technique, he has the skills and everything.
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“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.”
Gueye reckons there is still more to come from the Toffees playmaker: “I challenge (Ndiaye) every game, every time we play. 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.
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🇸🇳 Iliman Ndiaye?
'Grandbrother' Idrissa Gana Gueye believes his Senegal teammate has what it takes to one day become Africa's second @ballondor winner. 🌍
— Everton (@Everton) November 17, 2025
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Everton will be without Idrissa Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye for up to a month
The Africa Cup of Nations gets underway just before Christmas, with the final taking place on the 18th of January.
That means Everton could be without Gueye and Ndiaye for up to a month as Senegal are one of the favourites to win the tournament.
Gueye said he wishes AFCON could be held in the summer: “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.”
Moyes will have to come up with a solution to deal without Ndiaye’s creativity and Gueye’s grit in the middle of the park.
That said, Tyler Dibling and Merlin Rohl could get their big break to show what they’re about after joining in the summer.