Ibrahim Mbaye: PSG coach Luis Enrique justifies exclusion

Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique has explained his decision to drop Senegal winger Ibrahim Mbaye from the squad to face Lyon in the last match.

During the fixture at Parc des Princes, Lyon secured a 2-1 win against PSG.

🚨❌ Ibrahim Mbaye is not even into the PSG squad to face OL tonight, decision by Luis Enrique.

0 minutes vs Toulouse
0 minutes vs Liverpool
0 minutes vs Liverpool
Not called up vs Lyon.

One to watch this summer. 👀 pic.twitter.com/Tp3Y6g2df4

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 19, 2026

Since returning from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, the youngster has completely disappeared from the radar and has played very little for PSG.

‘I have no regrets about Ibrahim Mbaye’

“It’s simply what I’m saying: every minute you can play at Paris Saint-Germain has to be special,” said Enrique as quoted by Wiw Sport.

“I have no regrets about Ibrahim Mbaye. But you have to be ready for every minute you can play at PSG. He was ready, but I expect a lot from all the players.

“It’s simply competition, and a player has to be left out of the squad, nothing more. What I want is for you to make the most of every minute, every opportunity you have at the Parc des Princes or away.”

The 18-year-old forward, a product of PSG’s academy, enjoyed regular involvement earlier this season after building on a promising debut campaign in 2024-25.

However, since February, his playing time has dropped significantly, with only limited minutes in both Ligue 1 and the Champions League.

Mbaye scored debut goal against Kenya

Despite representing France in various youth levels, Mbaye received his first call-up to the Senegal national team in 2025 making his debut against Brazil on 15 November.

Three days later on his second cap, he scored his first international goal in an 8-0 victory in a friendly game against Kenya, becoming at 17 years nine months and 25 days Senegal’s youngest ever goalscorer.

He scored his second goal with Senegal in a 3-1 win over Sudan in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations round of 16, to become, at 17 years 11 months and 10 days, his country’s youngest ever goalscorer in the Africa Cup of Nations.