PSG’s 16-Year-Old Moroccan Striker Makes Historic Ligue 1 Debut Under Luis Enrique

After only one month with the first team, Ibrahim Mbaye has earned the trust of Luis Enrique. The young player is in the plans of the Spanish technician who started him for the first match of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) this season. The 16-year-old, 6-month and 23-day-old striker was in the starting lineup that faced Le Havre (4-1) on Friday at the Océane stadium, becoming the youngest player in the club’s history to start an official match.

According to Le Parisien, Luis Enrique and the PSG technical staff are satisfied with Mbaye’s performance in this first match of the season. The young striker had the opportunity to show the extent of his talent and his speed qualities during the two friendly matches against Sturm Graz (2-2) on August 7 and Leipzig (1-1) on August 10. Very tactical, the young player even scored a goal in the first match.

The 16-year-old striker prepared for the start of the season. He spent ten days training in Morocco, the country of origin of his mother. "His big quality is that he is a hard worker. You give him a program to do, he takes care of himself and applies everything seriously. And in terms of behavior, nothing to say. He’s a respectful boy. I had to break down some barriers and joke a bit with him so that he would open up a bit," says his physical trainer, Zoumana Camara.

Born in Trappes to a Senegalese father and a Moroccan mother, Mbaye is destined for a bright future. However, he may not start the match against Montpellier scheduled for next Friday at the Parc des Princes due to the great form of Bradley Barcola and the arrival of Désiré Doué. "He will have to manage the periods when he may have less playing time. He is a 2008, he is very young, needs rhythm and matches at that age, but the staff is competent to manage him," comments Zoumana Camara.