Ibrahim Mbaye is a player reportedly of interest to Liverpool and the Senegalese forward has already been tipped for big things by former Reds star Sadio Mane
Sadio Mane has played with Ibrahim Mbaye at international level
Sadio Mane has played with Ibrahim Mbaye at international level(Image: 2026 Stephen Nadler/ISI Photos)
Ibrahim Mbaye may be just 18 years old, but he's already compiled an impressive résumé. The youngster is a two-time Champions League winner with Paris Saint-Germain, and has also secured two Ligue 1 titles with the French giants.
Add a Coupe de France, European Super Cup and FIFA Intercontinental Cup to his collection and it's been quite a remarkable couple of years for the teenager since establishing himself in Luis Enrique's first team squad at the beginning of the 2024/25 campaign.
The forward has featured 42 times for PSG thus far, contributing four goals and four assists. Yet he could be excused for wanting something different.
Despite impressing in the French capital, he's been restricted to merely 15 starts up to now. And with the battle for places expected to intensify further at the Parc des Princes, the highly-regarded winger now appears destined for a fresh challenge.
He's amongst several players currently being assessed by Liverpool as the Reds seek to strengthen their attacking arsenal. Reports from France suggest he prefers a switch to Anfield despite more concrete interest from Bayer Leverkusen, while he was also on RB Leipzig's radar when PSG were pursuing a deal for Yan Diomande, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Only time will reveal whether Liverpool are to solidify their interest in Mbaye. But as the Reds evaluate their options, the Senegalese has already garnered one glowing endorsement from an Anfield legend.
Despite representing France at youth level, Mbaye secured his maiden call-up by Senegal last November. Recording a goal and two assists on his full debut in an 8-0 friendly victory over Kenya, his application to switch international allegiance received FIFA approval the following month ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Featuring alongside former Liverpool forward Sadio Mané for the Teranga Lions, he wasted little time in capturing his compatriot's attention.
Mané netted a hat-trick in the aforementioned friendly triumph over Kenya, with Mbaye providing his opening goal.
Carrying such form into the AFCON tournament in Morocco, the 17 year old became Senegal's youngest ever player to appear in the competition when introduced in their opening fixture against Botswana.
Ibrahim Mbaye played at the World Cup
Ibrahim Mbaye played at the World Cup(Image: 2026 FIFA)
He subsequently assisted Mané once more in Senegal's second match of the tournament. Brought on from the bench immediately after his nation had dropped 1-0 behind to DR Congo, it required Mbaye merely seven minutes to make his mark as Senegal secured a 1-1 draw.
Questioned about the prodigy after the final whistle, Mané said: "Seventeen years old and at this level, I think it's impressive. He has a bright future ahead of him.
"We will try to help him find the right rhythm so that he can help us even more, because he is an exceptional player."
Having won a penalty in Senegal's subsequent fixture as they triumphed 3-0 against Benin, Mbaye then netted his first AFCON goal from the bench in a 3-1 victory over Sudan in the round-of-16.
Assisted by Mané, he became his nation's youngest ever goalscorer at the Africa Cup of Nations in doing so. Once again, the former Liverpool stalwart heaped praise on Mbaye after the final whistle.
"It's a pleasure to give him a pass," he said. "I think we know each other very well.
"When I saw him, his speed was incredible. I just had to put it in front of him. He capitalised on the defender's mistake. He scored the goal. We're all happy for him."