The PSG wonderkid, who has made 14 appearances for the reigning UEFA Champions League holders, made four goal contributions in Senegal's 8-0 mauling of Kenya.
Making his first-ever start for Senegal in just his second appearance, Ibrahim Mbaye delivered a dazzling performance in the Lions of Teranga's commanding 8-0 victory over Kenya.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward became the youngest goalscorer and assist provider in the national team's history, staking a strong claim for a spot in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations squad.
Despite having only 26 professional matches under his belt with PSG (1 goal, 2 assists), Mbaye has already earned the trust of Senegal's head coach, Pape Thiaw.
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The young attacker, who was called up before his 18th birthday (which he will celebrate on January 24), seized his opportunity. After a brief 15-minute debut in a friendly loss to Brazil, Mbaye left a memorable mark in his first start against Kenya.
The Lions of Teranga dismantled Kenya 8-0, with Mbaye at the heart of the action. He opened his international account with a clinical left-footed strike in the 48th minute, provided two assists (for Malick Diouf in the 12th minute and Sadio Mané in the 17th), and won a penalty that Mané converted in the 31st minute.
After an impactful 68 minutes, he was substituted for Cheikh Sabaly to a standing ovation. The Trappes native's record-breaking performance has significantly boosted his standing just weeks before the AFCON and seven months ahead of the World Cup.
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"I want to congratulate my players because they truly followed instructions. They played a serious match, respected our game plan, and I found that very important," Pape Thiaw commented after the win to AfriqueSports. "When you have competitive players who hate to lose and know how to bounce back from a defeat, it's a real asset."
While the coach noted that the lopsided victory should be kept in perspective, he acknowledged it was a fantastic opportunity for Mbaye, whose development continues on a steady upward trajectory.
Having already made 14 appearances for PSG across all competitions this season, he is increasingly becoming part of Luis Enrique's rotation.
Though still finding his consistency, his start against Barcelona in the Champions League highlighted the trust his club manager has in him. With the absences of Desire Doue and Ousmane Dembele, Mbaye is now poised to receive more playing time and solidify his new status as a promising international talent.
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