PSG’s teenage sensation makes headlines: Graduates in the morning, plays in the French super classic by night

Before the heated showdown against Marseille, Ibrahim Mbaye, a promising PSG youth born in 2008, had to finish his graduation exam in the classroom.

At 17 years old, Mbaye balances both his studies and his football dreams. PSG confirmed that he took the French high school graduation exam during the day and then traveled separately to join his 18 teammates. Notably, the match between PSG and Marseille, originally scheduled for Monday, was postponed by one day due to severe weather warnings.

Previously, Mbaye set a record as the youngest player in PSG history to start a Ligue 1 match, making his debut at 16 years, 6 months, and 23 days old against Le Havre last season. In February, he signed his first professional contract and quickly scored his first goal at club level.

However, this trip to Marseille was far from easy for PSG. In the 5th minute, the home team opened the scoring when Nayef Aguerd rose high to head a precise cross into the net, beating the visiting goalkeeper. This early advantage energized Marseille, who pressed relentlessly and troubled the defending champions’ backline.

Despite PSG’s efforts to equalize, their star-studded attack struggled against Marseille’s aggressive play. Mbaye was brought on by coach Luis Enrique in the final minutes of the second half, replacing Goncalo Ramos. Though his time on the pitch was too brief to make a mark, his presence symbolized the future, especially after just completing an important exam.

In the end, PSG suffered a 0-1 loss, forfeiting three valuable points and losing their top position in Ligue 1. Meanwhile, Marseille celebrated an emotional victory over their long-time rivals, turning the Velodrome stadium into a true festival.

Ironically, this defeat coincided with the day coach Luis Enrique was honored by UEFA as Europe’s best manager. What should have been a memorable moment for the Spanish tactician was overshadowed by the loss, dampening his personal joy.

Mbaye’s story of balancing studies and football remains a standout highlight, but the loss to Marseille also serves as a reminder to PSG of the real challenges in defending their title. For Mbaye personally, although he didn’t leave a mark in his brief appearance, this experience will surely be a crucial step in building his resilience. From the exam room to the pitch, the path ahead for PSG’s young talent remains wide open and full of promise.