Ibrahim Mbaye has returned to Paris Saint-Germain for medical examinations following his victory with Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations, the club confirmed on Wednesday.
The Senegalese winger arrived at the PSG training campus a day after the AFCON final, while the majority of the first team were in Portugal preparing for their Champions League tie against Sporting.
Mbaye trained on the sidelines alongside teammate Achraf Hakimi, who returned from Morocco after finishing as a runner-up in the tournament.
Mbaye’s early return meant he missed the official ceremony in Senegal, where the African champions were honoured by the country’s President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
According to Le Parisien, the club intends to carry out a series of medical tests before deciding on the player’s readiness to resume competitive action.
“After several intense weeks, the Paris Saint-Germain staff wants to assess the player’s physical condition before considering a return to competition, in order to avoid any unnecessary risks after a particularly demanding Africa Cup of Nations tournament,” the report stated.
Hakimi is also under careful observation, with particular attention on his ankle, which has been a concern in recent months.
Both players are awaiting guidance from head coach Luis Enrique and his staff regarding the next phase of their training.
The club will use the medical results to determine whether Mbaye and Hakimi can join the squad for the upcoming Ligue 1 match against Auxerre this Friday, or if they will have to wait for the Champions League clash with Newcastle at the Parc des Princes next Wednesday.
PSG are taking a cautious approach to safeguard the fitness of both players ahead of a congested schedule in domestic and European competitions.
Mbaye’s return comes amid high expectations following Senegal’s AFCON triumph, with the club aiming to reintegrate him safely into the squad while avoiding injury risks.
Both players’ recovery and readiness will be closely monitored in the coming days before final decisions are made.
