Ibrahim Mbaye reveals Moussa Niakhate’s influence on Senegal decision

Ibrahim Mbaye says a conversation with fellow Senegal international Moussa Niakhate helped persuade him to choose Senegal over France.

The 18-year-old winger discussed his international future in an interview with Cheikh Footstyle, explaining how Niakhate’s intervention strengthened his decision to represent the Lions of Teranga.

Mbaye said he was attracted by the Senegal project and the immediate opportunity it offered him at senior level. France, by contrast, wanted him to continue his development with the Bleuets, their youth national teams.

During the interview, Mbaye recalled the conversation with Niakhate by saying: “Il m’a parle du Senegal et j’ai kiffe”.

The teenager made his Senegal debut in November 2025, coming on for the final 15 minutes of a 2-0 defeat by Brazil. He was then handed his first start against Kenya and made a decisive contribution, scoring once and providing two assists in an emphatic 8-0 victory.

Mbaye has since won 15 caps for Senegal and has scored four goals. His rapid involvement at senior international level played a significant part in his decision to turn down the possibility of continuing with France’s youth sides.

The winger also recently made a major move at club level, joining Aston Villa from his boyhood club, PSG, in the closing stages of the summer transfer window.

He has yet to make his Aston Villa debut, however. Mbaye remained an unused substitute during last weekend’s league match away to Hull City and was not brought on in Tuesday’s Champions League fixture against Club Bruges.

His first appearance for Aston Villa could come on Saturday, when they face Nottingham Forest in the fourth round of the Premier League season. The match could provide Mbaye with his first opportunity to play in the club’s bordeaux, sky-blue and white colours.

For now, his international career has progressed much faster than his club involvement. Since making his Senegal debut, Mbaye has become a regular part of the national team set-up, while his performances against Kenya offered an early indication of his attacking potential.

His choice of Senegal was ultimately shaped not only by his own preference but also by the prospect of immediate senior football. Niakhate, already an international team-mate, helped present that opportunity in terms that appealed to the young player.

Mbaye’s decision means France will no longer be able to call on one of its promising young attacking talents for the senior international pathway, while Senegal have secured the commitment of a teenager already making an impact at international level.