In an exclusive interview with The Telegraph, Gueye, who is in the squad as England head towards the Euro finals against Spain, looks back fondly on his experience at the 2017 U17 World Cup finals and expresses his anticipation and determination for the upcoming tournament.
Gueye began by referring to the thrilling U17 World Cup final in 2017, when England came back from 1-2 down at half-time to win the title with a resilient and outstanding performance that ultimately saw them come back from Spain to win 5-2. He recalled, "I remember the end of the half when we had just scored and the opposition had put their heads down. It was a crucial moment and we needed to step up and show everyone that we were in control and that this would not happen again." The win not only gave Guey a sense of teamwork, but also a deeper understanding and love of soccer.
Gueye then spoke about his experience of watching the Euro 2021 final at home. He said that although he felt very frustrated at the time as England were one step away from victory, the loss has become a motivation for the team to move forward. He believes that this current England team is ready to make up for their previous regrets and create new history.
Speaking about his experiences at the U17 World Cup and U17 Euros, Gueye said that these experiences have helped him become more accustomed to the pace and pressure of playing in major soccer tournaments, and have taught him how to stay focused and consistent while away from his family. He is grateful that these experiences have made him more mature and stronger and is looking forward to showing his strengths again in Sunday's UEFA Europa League final.
In addition, Gueye revealed his deep bond with his teammates from his U17 days. He said that he has always kept in touch with his teammates like Foden and Gallagher and cherishes the time he spent with them. He also singled out close friends such as Rian Brewster and said that no matter what the future holds, the friendship between them will never change.
Finally, when asked if he would keep the medal if England won, Gueye said he would give it to his parents for safekeeping. He sees the medal as more of a precious memory to pass on and share with family and friends. He values the process and memories created with his teammates more than the medal itself.
