Vieira defends Koulibaly and Gueye by rebuking journalist after Senegal-Comoros

Patrick Vieira concluded his first gathering as Senegal manager with a 1-0 victory over Comoros on Sunday at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille, but it was during the press conference that the coach made the strongest impression.

When a journalist questioned him about Kalidou Koulibaly and Idrissa Gueye by calling them “has-beens”, Vieira immediately cut him off. “That’s exactly what’s disrespectful, and you shouldn’t repeat what’s being said outside,” he said, visibly irritated. “We’re talking about two players who have marked and continue to mark Senegal’s history. We can’t use that kind of language.”

The 1998 World Cup winner continued: “Even if people do it outside, you as a journalist have an obligation to change that term. Because we just saw the match they played today and you still consider them has-beens? I won’t accept that lack of respect toward these players who are exemplary on and off the pitch.”

The two senior players had been little or not used in the first two matches of this international window — a 1-1 draw in Mozambique and a 0-1 victory in Ethiopia in 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Vieira chose to start them against Comoros, and both men played the full 90 minutes.

This first gathering under the former Arsenal and Juventus midfielder thus ends with a record of two wins and a draw, but also sends a clear message about the culture of respect the new Senegal manager intends to establish.