Sadio Mané, the 33-year-old Senegalese striker for Al-Nassr (after a long spell at Liverpool), was in the mixed zone yesterday following the 1-1 draw against DR Congo in the second round of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. He was notably asked to comment on the impressive performance of Ibrahim Mbaye, the 17-year-old Paris Saint-Germain striker.
Mané: “An exceptional player.”
“17 years old at this level is impressive. He has a bright future ahead of him. We’re going to try to integrate him even better into our squad so he can help us even more, because he’s an exceptional player,” he said, as reported by L’Equipe.
Such confidence shown by an iconic player of the national team can only help Mbaye adapt to the squad and the style of play. While he still has aspects of his game to refine, particularly his decision-making around the penalty area, the PSG striker clearly displays considerable potential.
It’s no coincidence that he earned the trust of PSG coach Luis Enrique, and subsequently opportunities with Senegal. These are significant steps, but not the end goal. There is still much to accomplish and improve. Mbaye must stay on the right path, with dedication and hard work, to avoid any regrets.
