*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 01:45, 23 February 2024 (UTC)
Ibrahima Baldé (born 4 April 1989), known as Ibrahima, is a Senegalese professional footballer who plays as a forward for I-League club TRAU FC.
Club career
Early years and Spain
Ibrahima was born in Dakar. In 2006 the 16-year-old arrived in Argentina after signing for Argentinos Juniors and, the following year, he joined another club in that nation, Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield.[1] He later said of his time in the country: "When I went to Argentina I could never imagine how many troubles and personal insults I would have to experience because of my skin colour there".[2][3][4]
Ibrahima scored his first goal with the main squad on 17 January 2010, in another home victory, 3–2 against Sporting de Gijón: after just five minutes on the pitch, he tapped in Sergio Agüero's saved attempt to make it 3–1.[7]
Ibrahima's spell with the Soria side was greatly undermined by injury, as he appeared in less than half of the league's matches.[11] On 13 April 2011, he agreed to join CA Osasuna on a three-year deal effective as of July, with a buyout clause of €9 million.[12]
During his tenure at the El Sadar Stadium, Ibrahima netted seven goals in 23 competitive appearances, including a brace against Getafe CF (2–2 away draw)[13] and the game's only to help the hosts defeat Real Sociedad in the league.[14] He was also afflicted by physical problems.[15][16]
Kuban
On 23 August 2012, Ibrahima signed a three-year deal with FC Kuban Krasnodar;[17] he stated he would not have problems adapting to the new reality, even though his move was delayed due to visa issues.[18] He scored twice on his debut four days later, and also set up a goal for Marcos Pizzelli in a 6–2 win over FC Volga Nizhny Novgorod, before coming off in the 71st minute.[19]
Ibrahima suffered a ligament rupture to his knee during a friendly in early 2014, going on to be sidelined for several months.[20] He netted only four times from 21 games in the 2015–16 campaign, and his team was relegated from the Russian Premier League after ranking third-bottom.[21]
With his contract expected to expire on 30 June 2016, Ibrahima reportedly rejected a new offer in December 2015.[22] General manager Valery Statsenko expressed his confidence on an agreement being reached,[23] and negotiations started in March 2016;[24] on 1 July, however, Kuban announced the player's departure.[25]
Reims
On 31 July 2016, Ibrahima moved to French club Stade de Reims on a 1+1 contract.[26] He made his Ligue 2 debut in the fourth matchday, starting and playing 79 minutes of the 2–1 home defeat of Red Star FC,[27] and his first goal arrived on 22 October to help to a 1–1 draw at RC Lens.[28]
CFR Cluj
Ibrahima signed a two-year deal with CFR Cluj in July 2017, rejoining his former Kuban Krasnodar coach Dan Petrescu.[29] He made his Romanian Liga I debut against FC Voluntari on 20 August, coming on as an 83rd-minute substitute for Urko Vera in the 2–0 home victory.[30] He scored his first goals six days later, netting twice in the 4–3 away loss to ACS Poli Timișoara.[31]
Baldé won his only career title at the end of his only season, contributing four goals and three starts to the conquest of the national championship.[32]
Later career
On 3 August 2018, Ibrahima returned to Spain after agreeing to a two-year contract with Real Oviedo in the second division.[33] He competed in Turkey the following seasons, with Giresunspor and Boluspor.[34]
Ibrahima moved to the Indian I-League in September 2023, joining TRAU FC.[35]
International career
Ibrahima was first called up by the Senegal national team in May 2012, and made his debut on the 25th by playing 63 minutes in a 1–0 friendly win over Morocco. He scored his first goal the following week, helping to a 3–1 home victory against Liberia for the 2014 FIFA World Cupqualifiers.
^Lysenko, Oleg (19 September 2014). Бальде: аргентинцы мне орали: "Проваливай отсюда!" [Baldé: Argentines shouting at me: "Get out of here!"] (in Russian). Championat. Archived from the original on 28 October 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
^Campos, Tomás (3 January 2010). "El Atlético saca la cabeza" [Atlético rear head]. Marca (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 21 May 2016. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
^Ramajo, Roberto (6 May 2012). "Ibrahima mantiene viva Europa" [Europe still alive courtesy of Ibrahima]. Diario AS (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 24 July 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
^"Кубань" объявила об уходе Бальде [Kuban announced departure of Baldé] (in Russian). Championat. 1 July 2016. Archived from the original on 28 October 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
^"L2/J4: Reims-Red Star (2–1)" [L2/R4: Reims-Red Star (2–1)] (in French). Football 365. 22 August 2016. Archived from the original on 28 October 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
^Farge, Rémi (22 October 2016). "L2 (J12): Lens et Reims se neutralisent" [L2 (R12): Lens and Reims neutralise each other] (in French). Football 365. Archived from the original on 28 October 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
^"Ibrahima Balde Boluspor'da" [Ibrahima Balde to Boluspor] (in Turkish). Boluspor. 31 July 2022. Archived from the original on 18 October 2022. Retrieved 18 October 2022.