Akor Adams Snubbed As Pape Gueye Clinches La Liga African MVP Award in Lagos

Akor Adams Snubbed As Pape Gueye Clinches La Liga African MVP Award in Lagos

By Our Reporter 

Akor Adams has missed out on the 2025/26 La Liga African MVP award after Pape Gueye was named the best African player in Spanish football at an award ceremony held in Lagos on Sunday, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The Villarreal midfielder secured 38 per cent of the total votes to claim the prestigious honour ahead of Inaki Williams of Athletic Bilbao, who finished second with 24 per cent. Villarreal winger Nicolas Pepe placed third in the voting.

Sevilla duo Adams and Chidera Ejuke were also shortlisted for the award but failed to make the final podium.

Gueye’s victory brought an end to Ghana’s recent dominance of the award, following Williams’ triumphs in the previous two editions.

Despite missing out on the accolade, Adams enjoyed an impressive campaign with Sevilla FC. The former Montpellier striker emerged as Nigeria’s highest-scoring forward across Europe’s top five leagues after registering 10 league goals and three assists in 32 appearances.

The 25-year-old also delivered several decisive performances during Sevilla’s battle against relegation, scoring crucial goals against Atletico Madrid, RCD Espanyol and Villarreal.

Gueye, meanwhile, enjoyed a standout campaign in his second season with Villarreal, playing a central role in the club’s successful push for UEFA Champions League qualification for the second consecutive year.

Speaking after receiving the award in Lagos, an emotional Gueye described the honour as the most significant individual achievement of his career.

“It’s a real source of pride and an honour to be named the best African player in La Liga,” the Senegal international said.

“It’s the first individual award of my career, and it means a lot to me because in everything I achieve, I’m also representing Senegal. Right now at Villarreal, I’m experiencing the best moment of my career.”

The ceremony attracted several notable football personalities, including former FC Barcelona midfielder Alex Song and retired Cameroon defender Geremi Njitap.

Gueye now joins a distinguished list of previous winners that includes Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, Williams and former Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze.

Chukwueze won the award in 2023 following an outstanding season with Villarreal, where he scored 13 goals and registered 11 assists across all competitions, highlighted by a match-winning performance against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu.