Who is James Mbaye, the boyfriend of Federica Brignone
James Mbaye, 36, was born in Senegal and grew up there until his teens, then moved to Italy where he studied at Itis in Rimini. At 196 centimeters tall, he had a basketball background: from his beginnings in the youth ranks of Rimini Bellaria to experiences between Serie D and C.
A serious injury marked a turning point, leading him to Florence for recovery and new sporting milestones with Pino Dragons, Affrico and Cus Firenze. In 2020, he was signed by the Calenzano Bulldogs as a power forward, appreciated for his work under the basket and rebounding.
He later left basketball to pursue fashion and now works as a model between Italy, Germany, Turkey, Spain and England. His Instagram profile, recently made private, features the Senegal flag. He is currently part of the roster of Major Models Milano, one of the most renowned agencies in Lombardy and Italy, and is in the portfolio of Blow Models, with offices in Barcelona and Madrid.
On a personal level, the official confirmation of the relationship with Federica Brignone came in Madrid during the Laureus 2026 ceremony. Previously there had been some clues, such as a photo posted by Mbaye in La Salle, in the Aosta Valley, and her presence as an extra in the Grana Padano commercial along with Brignone herself and the other great ski champion Sofia Goggia.
Mbaye had also been spotted in the box of the two-time Olympic champion’s entourage during the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympics, wearing the skier’s iconic tiger hat to cheer her on during the races that crowned her queen of the Giant and Super-G.
