Tomorrow evening, Paris Saint-Germain hosts FC Nantes in the late match of the 26th day of Ligue 1. Will Ibrahim Mbaye be there? The question deserves to be asked. Since his victorious return from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, the 18-year-old Senegalese international has disappeared from sight. He who had participated in 19 out of 25 matches with PSG before his departure for the CAN, Mbaye has only appeared 6 times (out of 17 matches) since his return to France, for a total of 187 minutes played (around 31 minutes per match).
This situation did not go unnoticed for long. Questioned on this subject at the beginning of April, before the reception in Toulouse (3-1), Luis Enrique invited journalists to ask the question directly to the main person concerned. “I don’t know, you have to ask the person concerned, not me. We gave a lot of confidence. There are times when you are more comfortable with your national team than with your club, but that doesn’t change anything about what we think of him, he can show his quality in Paris too..
A strong misunderstanding
From now on, it is no longer a mystery: PSG believes that Mbaye is no longer giving his all since his return from CAN 2025. An observation which led to a radical decision with the sidelining of the player for the clash against Olympique Lyonnais. This Tuesday, on the eve of the match against Nantes, Luis Enrique was more explicit at a press conference. “That’s just what I’m saying. Every minute you get to play at PSG has to be special. I have no regrets about Mbaye, but you have to be ready. He has been ready, but I expect a lot more from all the players. It’s simply competition, a player must stay out of the team. You have to make the most of every minute.”.
And tonight, The Team brings new elements to this file. The media reaffirms that the Parisian staff considers that the Senegalese’s involvement remains insufficient. The latter continues to train without flinching and above all without being noticed off the field. But if the 18-year-old player’s course of action is irreproachable, his clan has logically not remained insensitive to the situation. The Team affirms that Mbaye’s entourage did not wish to express themselves, but that a lack of understanding is indeed present. Worse, the newspaper assures that there is “proven distrust of the club’s current decisions”. There is tension on the line and if things are not resolved, it is a safe bet that the Parisian’s English courtiers (whose contract runs until 2028) will come forward shortly.
