If the 2026 World Cup is far from being a smooth ride for Pape Thiaw’s Senegal, it will at least have allowed the emergence of pure talent in the eyes of the general public. Despite a difficult start for the Lions of Téranga, Ibrahim Mbaye splashed the competition in his class. Coming into play during the first match against the French team, the PSG striker made a spectacular impression. By mystifying Théo Hernandez to score a sumptuous goal, he became the youngest scorer in the history of the Senegalese selection, but above all the youngest African player to find the net in a World Cup, at only 18 years and 143 days old.
However, the treatment reserved for the Parisian prodigy by his coach quickly provoked anger and incomprehension in the country. Left on the bench at the kick-off of the second match against Norway (3-2 defeat), Mbaye came on in the 54th minute with overflowing desire. In an amorphous attack, he brought essential speed and freshness, displaying impeccable statistics: 100% successful dribbles, 5 duels won out of 5, and 88% successful passes. Faced with popular criticism demanding to see his nugget debut, Pape Thiaw finally gave in during the final group match against Iraq, granting him his very first start in the tournament (57 minutes played).
A start in sight, Tottenham and especially Aston Villa on the lookout
This founding international experience profoundly changed the player’s trajectory. Gradually becoming aware of his new status and his new market value, Ibrahim Mbaye no longer intends to be content with a role as an extra in a club. Faced with the prospect of uncertain playing time at Paris Saint-Germain, where he finds himself barred by a bloated workforce and a new wave of expensive offensive recruitments, the young talent is increasingly thinking of making a strong decision regarding the rest of his career.
According to our information, the winger, although linked to the capital club until June 2028, no longer hides his desires elsewhere internally even if those around him try to dissuade him. The fact remains that such potential on the transfer market obviously did not take long to alert recruiters on the continent. Several European teams are already in the running to enlist him this summer. This is particularly the case for Tottenham. The London club is very attracted by his impactful profile and wishes to attract him to the Premier League. But the team most sensitive to Mbaye’s qualities is none other than Aston Villa. Currently valued at 30 million euros by the specialized site Transfermarktthe Senegalese prodigy is likely to raise the stakes in the weeks to come. PSG is having one of the hottest soap operas of its summer transfer window.
