Ibrahima Baldé (footballer, born 1989)

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 team 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]

In December 2008, Ibrahima continued his development as he joined Atlético Madrid, being initially allocated to its B side.[5] Due to injuries to the first team's offensive line – Florent Sinama Pongolle had also just been sold – he made his La Liga debut on 2 January 2010, playing the full 90 minutes against Sevilla FC at the Vicente Calderón Stadium in a 2–1 win.[6]

In the same month, on the 17th, Ibrahima scored his first goal with Atlético's main squad, in another home win, 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]

On 5 March 2010, Ibrahima extended his contract with Atlético until 2013,[8] scoring a last-minute equaliser in a 1–1 draw at Real Zaragoza two days later.[9] He was loaned to CD Numancia in Segunda División in the summer, in a season-long move.[10]

Ibrahima's spell with the Soria club 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 overall 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]

Ibrahima before a match in 2015.

On 23 August 2012, Ibrahima signed with FC Kuban Krasnodar, penning a three-year contract[17]– he stated he would not have problems adapting to the new reality, even though his move was delayed due to visa issues. Four days later he scored twice on his debut, and also set up a goal for Marcos Pizzelli in a 6–2 victory over FC Volga Nizhny Novgorod, before coming off in the 71st minute.[18]

During a friendly match in early 2014, Ibrahima suffered a ligament rupture to his knee, going on to be sidelined for several months.[19] He netted only four times from 21 appearances in the 2015–16 campaign, and his team was relegated from the Russian Premier League after ranking third from bottom.

With his contract expected to expire on 30 June 2016, Ibrahima reportedly rejected a new deal in December 2015.[20] General manager Valery Statsenko expressed his confidence on an agreement being reached,[21] and negotiations started in March 2016;[22] on 1 July, however, Kuban announced the player's departure.[23]

On 31 July 2016, Ibrahima moved to French club Stade de Reims on a 1+1 deal.[24] He made his Ligue 2 debut in the fourth matchday, starting and playing 79 minutes in a 2–1 home defeat of Red Star FC,[25] and his first goal arrived on 22 October to help to a 1–1 draw at RC Lens.[26]

Ibrahima signed a two-year deal with Romanian side CFR Cluj in July 2017, rejoining his former Kuban Krasnodar coach Dan Petrescu.[27] He made his Liga I debut against FC Voluntari on 20 August, coming on as an 83rd-minute substitute for Urko Vera. He scored his first goals for the club six days later against ACS Poli Timișoara, netting twice in the 4–3 away loss.[28]

On 3 August 2018, Ibrahima returned to Spain after agreeing to a two-year contract with Real Oviedo in the second division.[29] He competed in Turkey the following seasons, with Giresunspor and Boluspor.[30] In September 2023, Baldé plied his trade in India, signing with I-League club TRAU.[31]