Senegal winger Ibrahim Mbaye says a conversation with fellow Senegal international Moussa Niakhaté played a key role in his decision to choose the Teranga Lions over France.
Mbaye, who had previously been involved with the French youth national team, revealed that Niakhaté contacted him while he was considering his international future and spoke to him about the Senegal set-up.
The 18-year-old said the conversation helped convince him that representing Senegal was the right choice.
“I was in the French youth national team squad a few months ago, in October 2025 I think. It was before the matches against Brazil and Kenya.
“Moussa Niakhaté called me because I was already talking about the Senegalese national team, but I didn’t yet know if I wanted to play for Senegal. He told me about the national team and I loved it. I told him, ‘Thank you Moussa, that’s great.’ And I told him, ‘If the coach wants me to come, I’ll come.’”
Mbaye was subsequently handed his Senegal debut in November 2025, beginning his international career with the West African nation after previously representing France at youth level.
He came on during the final 15 minutes of Senegal’s 2-0 defeat by Brazil before being given his first start against Kenya.
That match proved particularly memorable for the teenager. Mbaye scored once and provided two assists as Senegal recorded an emphatic 8-0 victory.
Since making his international debut, Mbaye has gone on to make 15 appearances for Senegal and has scored four goals.
His decision to represent the Lions came after he was attracted by the opportunities offered by the Senegalese national team.
According to Mbaye, Senegal’s approach gave him the prospect of playing for the senior side, while France’s pathway would have involved continuing his development with the Bleuets.
The choice therefore marked an important decision in the early international career of a player who had already been part of France’s youth set-up.
Niakhaté’s intervention proved significant during that period of uncertainty. The defender’s conversation with Mbaye gave the young winger a closer insight into the Senegalese national team and helped persuade him to commit his international future to the West African country.
Mbaye has since become part of the Senegal set-up and has built up experience with the senior side despite being only 18.
At club level, the youngster has also recently taken another major step in his career.
Mbaye joined Aston Villa during the final stages of the summer transfer window from Paris Saint-Germain, the club where he began his career.
The move to England provides the Senegal international with a new challenge, although he is still waiting to make his first appearance for his new club.
Mbaye was an unused substitute in Aston Villa’s league match against Hull City last weekend.
He was again not involved when Villa played Club Brugge in the Champions League on Tuesday.
The winger could now be in contention for his first appearance for the English club when Aston Villa face Nottingham Forest next Saturday in the fourth round of Premier League fixtures.
For now, Mbaye’s international career has developed more quickly than his club involvement in England.
His decision to play for Senegal has already produced a good start, with 15 appearances and four goals since his debut.
