View source for Demba Ba

{{Short description|Senegalese-French footballer (born 1985)}}
{{distinguish|Demba Bamba}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Demba Ba
| image = Demba_Ba_BJK'14.JPG
| caption = Ba with [[Beşiktaş J.K.|Beşiktaş]] in 2014
| full_name = Demba Ba<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tff.org/Default.aspx?pageId=526&kisiId=1721847 |title=Demba Ba |publisher=Turkish Football Federation |access-date=3 April 2020}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1985|5|25|df=y}}<ref>{{Hugman|22147|access-date=3 April 2020}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Sèvres]], France
| height = 1.89 m<ref name=PremProfile>{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/4213/Demba-Ba/overview |title=Demba Ba: Overview |publisher=Premier League |access-date=8 September 2019}}</ref>
| position = [[Striker (association football)|Striker]]
| youthyears1 = 1999–2000
| youthclubs1 = Port Autonome
| youthyears2 = 2000–2001
| youthclubs2 = Frileuse
| youthyears3 = 2001–2004
| youthclubs3 = Montrouge
| years1 = 2005–2006
| clubs1 = [[FC Rouen|Rouen]]
| caps1 = 26
| goals1 = 22
| years2 = 2006–2007
| clubs2 = [[R.E. Mouscron|Mouscron]]
| caps2 = 12
| goals2 = 8
| years3 = 2007–2011
| clubs3 = [[TSG 1899 Hoffenheim|TSG Hoffenheim]]
| caps3 = 97
| goals3 = 37
| years4 = 2011
| clubs4 = [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]]
| caps4 = 12
| goals4 = 7
| years5 = 2011–2013
| clubs5 = [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]]
| caps5 = 54
| goals5 = 29
| years6 = 2013–2014
| clubs6 = [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]
| caps6 = 33
| goals6 = 7
| years7 = 2014–2015
| clubs7 = [[Beşiktaş J.K.|Beşiktaş]]
| caps7 = 29
| goals7 = 18
| years8 = 2015–2018
| clubs8 = [[Shanghai Shenhua F.C.|Shanghai Greenland Shenhua]]
| caps8 = 29
| goals8 = 20
| years9 = 2017
| clubs9 = → [[Beşiktaş J.K.|Beşiktaş]] (loan)
| caps9 = 2
| goals9 = 1
| years10 = 2018
| clubs10 = [[Göztepe S.K.|Göztepe]]
| caps10 = 13
| goals10 = 7
| years11 = 2018
| clubs11 = [[Shanghai Shenhua F.C.|Shanghai Greenland Shenhua]]
| caps11 = 17
| goals11 = 5
| years12 = 2019–2021
| clubs12 = [[İstanbul Başakşehir F.K.|İstanbul Başakşehir]]
| caps12 = 59
| goals12 = 20
| years13 = 2021
| clubs13 = [[FC Lugano|Lugano]]
| caps13 = 3
| goals13 = 0
| totalcaps = 386
| totalgoals = 181
| nationalyears1 = 2007–2015
| nationalteam1 = [[Senegal national football team|Senegal]]
| nationalcaps1 = 22
| nationalgoals1 = 3
}}
'''Demba Ba''' (born 25 May 1985) is a former professional [[Association football|footballer]] who played as a [[Striker (football)|striker]]. He serves as the chairman of [[National Independent Soccer Association]] side [[Albion San Diego]].

He made his first-team debut with French team [[FC Rouen|Rouen]] in 2005 before moving to [[R.E. Mouscron|Mouscron]] and then [[TSG 1899 Hoffenheim|TSG Hoffenheim]] in Germany in 2007. In 2011, he moved to [[Premier League]] side [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]]. He played only 12 games for West Ham and despite being their league top goal scorer in the 2010–11 season, they were relegated to the [[EFL Championship|Championship]] and Ba moved to [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]]. In January 2013, he completed a move to [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] for an undisclosed fee, before joining [[Beşiktaş J.K.|Beşiktaş]] for €6 million 18 months later. After one season in Turkey, he moved to [[Shanghai Shenhua]] of the [[Chinese Super League]].

Born and raised in France, Ba was a full international for [[Senegal national football team|Senegal]] from 2007 to 2015 and represented the country at the [[2012 Africa Cup of Nations]]. On 13 September 2021, he announced his retirement from football.

==Early career==
Ba was born in [[Sèvres]], Hauts-de-Seine<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/demba-ba_prs173421/person.shtml |title=Demba Ba |publisher=Eurosport |access-date=3 April 2020}}</ref> and is the sixth child of seven. He grew up in [[Saint-Valery-en-Caux]], Seine-Maritime. He joined the youth section of ES Mont-Gaillard, located in [[Le Havre]], in 1992, before playing for Port Autonome between 1999 and 2000, and then for Frileuse between 2000 and 2001.<ref name="Bio">{{cite web |url=http://www.demba-ba.eu/biography.html|title=Biography of Demba Ba|publisher= Demba Ba official website|access-date=5 January 2013}}</ref>

In 2001, Ba returned to [[Châtillon, Hauts-de-Seine|Châtillon]] and played for Montrouge.<ref name="Bio"/> He played there until 2004, at which point he decided to concentrate on his football.<ref name="Bio"/> Later that year, after unsuccessful trials at [[Olympique Lyonnais|Lyon]] and [[AJ Auxerre|Auxerre]],<ref name="Bio"/> Ba moved to the United Kingdom to seek a professional contract. He was recommended to [[Watford F.C.|Watford]] manager [[Ray Lewington]] through his friend [[Gauthier Diafutua]], then a Watford player, but released shortly after Lewington's dismissal. Ba then spent a week on trial at [[Barnsley F.C.|Barnsley]],<ref name="Bio"/> and returned to France after two more unsuccessful trials at Football League sides [[Swansea City]] and [[Gillingham FC|Gillingham]].<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/20891896 | title = Demba Ba: Barnsley rejection to Chelsea transfer talks | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 2 January 2013 | access-date = 12 December 2013 | first = Gary | last = Rose}}</ref>

==Club career==
===Rouen===
Ba signed with manager Alain Michel because they were both moving to French club [[FC Rouen|Rouen]] on a one-year contract, and Ba enjoyed a highly successful season with the club.{{citation needed|date=April 2020}}

===Mouscron===
Belgian club [[R.E. Mouscron|Mouscron]] beat off competition from numerous other clubs to win Ba's signature in 2006. Scoring in each of his first three games, he then picked up fractures in his tibia and fibula, and was out of action between August 2006 and April 2007. Following his eight-month recovery period he scored seven goals in nine games, and picked up his first international cap.{{citation needed|date=April 2020}}

===TSG Hoffenheim===
[[File:Demba Ba Sinsheim.jpg|thumb|left|180px|Ba, pictured in 2009]]

On 29 August 2007, Ba moved to [[2. Bundesliga]] side [[TSG 1899 Hoffenheim|TSG Hoffenheim]] for €3&nbsp;million. Ba was an integral part of Hoffenheim's [[Promotion and relegation|promotion]] to the [[Bundesliga]] and their successful first season in the Bundesliga, where they finished seventh after leading during the [[Christmas]] break. In that season he scored 14 goals, only missing one game all season. These goals included a hat-trick in a 3–3 game against [[VfB Stuttgart|Stuttgart]] on 24 February 2009. In all competitions Ba scored 40 goals in 103 appearances for TSG Hoffenheim.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tsg-hoffenheim.de/4news.php?d%5Bnr%5D=1950&d%5Babteilung%5D=Startseite |title=1899 Hoffenheim signs Carlos Eduardo and Demba Ba |publisher=TSG 1899 Hoffenheim |access-date=29 August 2007 |language=de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927050052/http://www.tsg-hoffenheim.de/4news.php?d%5Bnr%5D=1950&d%5Babteilung%5D=Startseite |archive-date=27 September 2007 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>
In July 2009, he was due to move to [[VfB Stuttgart]], but the move fell through after he failed a medical.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kicker.de/ba-muss-bei-1899-bleiben-511232/artikel|title=Stuttgart ist das Risiko zu groß|work=kicker|access-date=15 January 2011|date=9 July 2009|language=de|trans-title=Stuttgart thinks the risk is too great}}</ref> In December of that year Ba extended his contract at Hoffenheim to 2013.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://achtzehn99.de/obasi-ba-und-compper-verl-ngern-vertr-ge-vorzeitig/ | title = Obasi, Ba und Compper verlängern Verträge vorzeitig | language = de | date = 16 December 2009 | publisher = TSG 1899 Hoffenheim | access-date =16 June 2011}}</ref>

====Move to England====
Ba left Hoffenheim for disputed reasons in January 2011. Claiming the club had gone back on an agreed transfer to a [[Premier League]] club, believed to be [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]], he refused to travel to Hoffenheim's winter training camp. In response, Hoffenheim's general manager said his contract would be cancelled, he would face legal action, and he would be fined and prevented from moving to another club for six months.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/9344952.stm | title = Hoffenheim refuse to release Senegal's Demba Ba | publisher = [[BBC Sport]] | date = 6 January 2011 | access-date =5 January 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.demba-ba.eu/newsreader-en/items/explanation-from-demba.html|title=Explanation from Demba|publisher=Demba Ba official website|access-date=6 January 2011|date=6 January 2011}}</ref> The club also later claimed he travelled to England without permission in order to force a move, which they reluctantly agreed needs to happen due to Ba's actions.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/7333438/Hoffenheim-No-Ba-regrets | title = Hoffenheim&nbsp;– No Ba regrets | first = Thomas | last = Zocher | publisher = Sky Sports | date = 25 November 2011 | access-date =10 December 2011}}</ref> The club later agreed to a transfer to [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]] for a reported fee of £7.1 million, but it fell through after Ba had agreed personal terms but failed his medical for undisclosed reasons.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11661/6661259/ | title = Stoke step up Ba pursuit | publisher = Sky Sports | date = 14 January 2011 | access-date =10 December 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url = http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11701/6664487/ | title = Ba's Stoke move breaks downl | publisher = Sky Sports | date = 15 January 2011 | access-date =10 December 2011}}</ref> Expressing disappointment, Stoke City manager [[Tony Pulis]] said "Obviously they found something which could cause problems later".<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/6665036/ | title = Pulis upset over Ba deal | first = Hayley | last = Paterson | publisher = Sky Sports | date = 15 January 2011 | access-date =10 December 2011}}</ref>

After leaving Hoffenheim, the club's general manager Ernst Tanner stated the club stand by their decision selling Ba.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hoffenheim – No Ba regrets|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11678/7333438/hoffenheim-no-ba-regrets|publisher=Sky Sports|date=25 November 2011|access-date=18 July 2014}}</ref>

===West Ham United===
[[File:DembaBa.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Ba with West Ham United in 2011]]

After the collapsed Stoke deal, Ba was sold to [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]] for an undisclosed fee based on appearances. He signed a three-year contract on 28 January, on a pay as you play basis due to knee problems found in the Stoke medical.<ref name="guardian_2011-06-15">{{cite news | url = https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/jun/15/demba-ba-west-ham-everton | title = Demba Ba leaves West Ham and looks to the Premier League | newspaper = The Guardian | location = London | first = Jamie | last = Jackson | access-date =5 January 2012 | date = 15 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.whufc.com/articles/20110128/hammers-capture-ba_2236884_2275381|title=Hammers capture Ba|publisher=West Ham United F.C|access-date=28 January 2011|date=28 January 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110131054335/http://www.whufc.com/articles/20110128/hammers-capture-ba_2236884_2275381|archive-date=31 January 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/9361494.stm|title=Hoffenheim striker Demba Ba fails Stoke City medical |publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=15 January 2011|date=15 January 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/west_ham_utd/9371608.stm|title=West Ham sign Senegal striker Demba Ba until 2014|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=28 January 2011|date=28 January 2011}}</ref> Ba's Premier League debut came on 6 February 2011, as a 75th-minute substitute for [[Robbie Keane]] during a 1–0 home defeat by [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9385585.stm|title=West Ham 0&nbsp;– 1 Birmingham |publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=7 February 2011|date=6 February 2011}}</ref> His first goals followed six days later during his full debut, scoring twice in a 3–3 draw against [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9391009.stm|title=West Brom 3 – 3 West Ham|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=13 February 2011|date=12 February 2011}}</ref> Despite finishing as their top scorer for the season with seven from twelve games including 2 in the last game, Ba's stay with West Ham proved to be short.<ref name="BA2010-11">{{cite web | url=http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=2802#teamTabs=stats | title=West Ham Stats 2010–11 | publisher=Soccerbase | access-date=13 June 2011}}</ref> Following their relegation to the [[Football League Championship|Championship]] after a 3–2 loss away to [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]] he invoked a release clause in his contract allowing him to leave for free. He turned down a £50,000-a-week salary plus a bonus payment of £500,000 in order to stay in the Premier League with another club, triggering interest from both [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] and [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]].<ref name="guardian_2011-06-15" /><ref name="Barelegation">{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9484432.stm | title=Wigan 3–2 West Ham | publisher=BBC Sport | date= 15 May 2011 | access-date=13 June 2011 | last =McNulty | first = Phil}}</ref>

===Newcastle United===
====2011–12 season====
On 17 June 2011, Ba signed for [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] on a three-year deal,<ref>{{cite news |title=Newcastle make striker Demba Ba capture from West Ham |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/13792378 |access-date=19 October 2020 |work=BBC Sport |date=17 June 2011}}</ref> making his club debut on 13 August 2011 in the 0–0 draw against [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/14429552.stm|title=Newcastle 0–0 Arsenal|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=24 September 2011|date=13 August 2011}}</ref> His first goals for the club came on 24 September 2011 with a [[List of Premier League hat-tricks|hat-trick]] against [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]] in a 3–1 home win.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/14958133.stm |title=Newcastle 3 – 1 Blackburn|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=24 September 2011|date=24 September 2011}}</ref> A second hat-trick came in a 3–1 away win at Stoke City, taking his league total to 8 and maintaining the club's 11-game unbeaten league start, taking them to 3rd in the league.<ref>{{cite news|last=Magowan|first=Alistair|title=Stoke 1 – 3 Newcastle |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15425921.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=31 October 2011|date=31 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/977793/richard-jolly:-newcastle's-lasting-impression?cc=5901 |title=Richard Jolly: Newcastle's lasting impression |publisher=ESPN Soccernet |date=31 October 2011 |access-date=3 November 2011 |first=Richard |last=Jolly |archive-date=3 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111103235014/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/977793/richard-jolly%3A-newcastle%27s-lasting-impression?cc=5901 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Ba's goalscoring form continued despite Newcastle entering a downward spell, and saw him picked in ESPN.com's Premier League Best XI for the first half of the season, and named [[Premier League Player of the Month]] for December 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/sports/soccer/news/_/columnist/hirshey_david/id/7379143/all-prem-team-far-david-hirshey-james-tyler|title=ESPN.com's all-Prem team (so far)|date=23 December 2011|work=ESPN.com|access-date=25 December 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=318012&cc=5901 | title = Baggies extend Toon's winless run | publisher = ESPN Soccernet | date = 21 December 2011 | access-date = 4 January 2012 | archive-date = 10 January 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120110202652/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=318012 | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/16173188.stm | title = Newcastle 2 – 3 West Brom | first = Saj | last = Chowdhury | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 21 December 2011 | access-date =4 January 2012}}</ref>

By the time Ba left to play in the January [[2012 Africa Cup of Nations]] his league tally had reached 15, making him second top scorer in the league behind Arsenal's [[Robin van Persie]]. He left for the tournament on a high note, scoring the first in a 3–0 home win over [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] on 4 January 2012, the team's first victory against the league champions in over a decade.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16343415.stm | title = Newcastle 3 – 0 Man Utd | publisher = BBC Sport | access-date =5 January 2012 | date = 4 January 2012 | first = Saj | last = Chowdhury}}</ref> While at the Africa Cup of Nations tournament, Ba's Senegal teammate [[Papiss Cissé]] also signed for Newcastle.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20120117/newcastle-sign-papiss-cisse_2281670_2580079 | title = Newcastle Sign Papiss Cisse | access-date = 17 January 2012 | publisher = Newcastle United F.C | archive-date = 8 December 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151208180122/http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20120117/newcastle-sign-papiss-cisse_2281670_2580079 | url-status = dead }}</ref> Ba and Cissé returned earlier than expected after Senegal finished bottom of their group, with Ba having missed three Premier League games and two [[2011–12 FA Cup|FA Cup]] games, the second of which saw Newcastle knocked out of the cup.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16750126.stm | title=Newcastle's Demba Ba & Demba Cisse to return early from Africa | work=BBC News}}</ref> He returned to action against Aston Villa on their visit to St James' Park on 5 February 2012, his return proved to be a goal scoring one as he netted the opener in the game which Newcastle won 2–1.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/feb/05/newcastle-united-aston-villa-premier-league | title = Newcastle's 'Double Demba' prove too hot for Aston Villa to handle | newspaper = The Guardian | location = London | date = 5 February 2012 | access-date =20 March 2012 | first = Louise | last = Taylor}}</ref> This would prove to be Ba's last goal of the season, as he moved to the left of a three pronged attack with Papiss Cissé leading the line, and grabbing 12 goals in the second half of the season. Despite this late season slump, Ba was voted as the best signing of the 2011–12 season by Premier League managers in March 2012.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20120314/demba-voted-best-signing_2281670_2658261 | title = Demba Voted Best Signing | publisher = Newcastle United F.C | access-date = 20 March 2012 | first = Anthony | last = Marshall | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120315160324/http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20120314/demba-voted-best-signing_2281670_2658261 | archive-date = 15 March 2012 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> He finished the season as Newcastle's leading goal scorer, with 16 goals.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Looking at the 2011-2012 EPL Top Goalscorers from Each Club|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1161872-looking-at-the-2011-2012-epl-top-goalscorers-from-each-club|last=Koh|first=Michael|website=Bleacher Report|language=en|access-date=29 May 2020}}</ref>

====2012–13 season====
Ba got his season off to a strong start scoring in a 1–0 win against [[AS Monaco FC|Monaco]], in Landsberg am Lech, Germany on 16 July 2012. He also scored in a 2–1 win against [[S.C. Braga|Braga]] which helped Newcastle win the [[Guadiana Trophy]]. In Newcastle's first league game against Tottenham, Ba opened the scoring with a fantastic volleyed effort in a 2–1 win.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/261565/report |title=Losing start for Villas-Boas |publisher=Sky Sports |date=18 August 2012}}</ref> On 17 September 2012, he scored Newcastle's 1000th goal of the [[Premier League]] era, after scoring both goals in a 2–2 draw against [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] at [[Goodison Park]].<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19540636 | title = Everton 2–2 Newcastle | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 17 September 2012 | access-date = 17 September 2012}}</ref> On 29 September, he scored for the third game in a row as he scored twice in a 2–2 draw away to [[Reading F.C.|Reading]], the first a volley, the second however proved controversial as the ball struck his arm before going in.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19684438 | title = Reading 2–2 Newcastle | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 29 September 2012 | access-date = 30 September 2012}}</ref>

It was known that Ba had a release clause in his contract valued at £7 million causing speculation of him making a transfer to [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]].<ref>{{cite news | url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/9772105/Chelseas-move-for-Demba-Ba-stalls-over-Newcastle-players-wage-demands.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/9772105/Chelseas-move-for-Demba-Ba-stalls-over-Newcastle-players-wage-demands.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | title = Chelsea's move for Demba Ba stalls | newspaper = The Daily Telegraph | location = London | date = 31 December 2012 | access-date = 3 January 2013 | first2 = Luke | last2 = Edwards | first1 = Chris | last1 =  Bascombe}}{{cbignore}}</ref> This speculation was confirmed by Newcastle manager [[Alan Pardew]] on 2 January 2013 who said that the transfer was "done" and Ba would "go to Chelsea with our blessing."<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/9776978/Demba-Ba-heading-to-Chelsea-from-Newcastle-as-70000-a-week-deal-breaks-transfer-deadlock.html | title = Demba Ba heading to Chelsea from Newcastle as £70,000-a-week deal breaks transfer deadlock | newspaper = The Daily Telegraph | location = London | date = 2 January 2013 | access-date = 3 January 2013 | first = Luke | last = Edwards}}</ref>

===Chelsea===
[[File:Chelsea FC v Paris Saint-Germain, 8 April 2014 (56).jpg|thumb|right|200px|Ba playing for Chelsea in 2014]]

====2012–13 season====
On 4 January 2013, Ba joined Chelsea for an undisclosed fee. Ba signed a three-and-a-half-year contract. He received the vacant number 29 shirt.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ba transfer completed |url=http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/3030470/title/ba-transfer-completed |publisher=Chelsea F.C |date=4 January 2013 |access-date=4 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130105020148/http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/3030470/title/ba-transfer-completed |archive-date=5 January 2013  }}</ref>
Ba made his debut against [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]] in the third round of the [[2012–13 FA Cup|FA Cup]] on 5 January. He marked his first appearance for the club by scoring two goals in a 5–1 victory for Chelsea.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/jan/05/southampton-chelsea-fa-cup |title=Chelsea's Demba Ba scores two on his debut in rout at Southampton |work=The Guardian |date=5 January 2013 |location=London |first=Sachin |last=Nakrani}}</ref> He scored on his home league debut on 16 January in a 2–2 draw, also against Southampton.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20955084 | title = Chelsea 2-2 Southampton | website = BBC Sport | date = 16 January 2013 | access-date = 25 August 2020 | first = Chris | last = Bevan}}</ref>

On 2 February 2013, Ba first played his former team Newcastle in a Premier League match at St. James' Park. In the 32nd minute of the match Ba had a chance to open the scoring but his initial attempt on goal was saved by Newcastle keeper [[Tim Krul]]. Ba managed to head the rebounded ball and in doing so collided with Coloccini. The collision resulted in a broken nose and Ba was substituted in the 43rd minute. Newcastle went on to win the game 3–2.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21209228 | title =  Newcastle 3 – 2 Chelsea | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 2 February 2013 | access-date = 6 February 2013}}</ref> After a run of seven games without scoring, Ba scored in a 1–0 win against West Bromwich Albion at Stamford Bridge on 2 March.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21556758 |title=Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez ended a turbulent week with the satisfaction of victory as West Bromwich Albion were beaten at Stamford Bridge |publisher=BBC Sport | date=2 March 2013 | access-date=2 March 2013}}</ref> On 1 April, Ba scored a goal from a long [[Juan Mata]] cross in the FA Cup quarter-final replay against [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]], giving Chelsea a 1–0 victory and a spot at [[Wembley Stadium|Wembley]] against [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] in the semi-finals of the competition.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/chelsea-1-0-manchester-united-match-1796483|title=Chelsea 1–0 Man United: Unforgettable Ba strike settles rather forgettable FA Cup replay |work=Daily Mirror |date=1 April 2013| access-date=1 April 2013}}</ref> He was cup-tied for Chelsea's victorious [[2012–13 UEFA Europa League]] campaign.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/demba-ba-winning-cups-means-more-than-top-four-finish-8580088.html |title=Demba Ba: Winning cups means more than top-four finish |publisher=Standard |date=19 April 2013 |access-date=21 May 2018}}</ref>

====2013–14 season====
[[File:Demba ba chelsea.JPG|thumb|Ba training with Chelsea before a [[2013–14 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] match]]

For the [[2013–14 Chelsea F.C. season|2013–14 season]], Ba's squad number was switched from 29 to 19, his squad number while at [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle]]. In the summer transfer window, Ba was linked with transfers to his former clubs Newcastle United<ref>{{cite news|title=Transfer news: Sky sources: Newcastle keen to re-sign Demba Ba from Chelsea|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/8893259/transfer-news-sky-sources-newcastle-keen-to-re-sign-demba-ba-from-chelsea|publisher=Sky Sports|date=28 August 2013|access-date=18 July 2014}}</ref> and West Ham United.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jacob |first1=Gary |title=West Ham United hope to sign Wilfried Zaha and Demba Ba on loan deals |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/west-ham-united-hope-to-sign-wilfried-zaha-and-demba-ba-on-loan-deals-rmppkxq2zxq |access-date=14 January 2021 |date=13 June 2013}}</ref> Ba was on the verge of joining [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] on a season-long loan, but the move fell through.<ref>{{cite news|title=Transfer Deadline Day: Demba Ba not going to Arsenal according to Sky sources|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/8903615/transfer-deadline-day-demba-ba-not-going-to-arsenal-according-to-sky-sources|publisher=Sky Sports|date=3 September 2013|access-date=18 July 2014}}</ref> It was later revealed that the move fell through thanks to Chelsea intervention,<ref>{{cite news|title=Chelsea block Arsenal Demba Ba move as Blues boss Jose Mourinho sees Arsene Wenger's men as title rivals|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/demba-bas-move-arsenal-blocked-2246401?|work=Daily Mirror|date=2 September 2013|access-date=18 July 2014}}</ref> though Ba himself considered moving to Arsenal.<ref>{{cite news|title=Demba Ba focused on Chelsea future after Arsenal interest|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24131190|publisher=BBC Sport|date=17 September 2013|access-date=18 July 2014}}</ref>

He scored his first goal of the season after coming on as a substitute in [[2013–14 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] match against [[FC Schalke 04|Schalke]] in a 3–0 victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chelseafc.com/matchday-live/match/71808#matchReport |title=MATCH REPORT: CHELSEA 3 SCHALKE 0 |publisher=Chelsea FC |date=6 November 2013 |access-date=13 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101160233/http://www.chelseafc.com/matchday-live/match/71808 |archive-date=1 January 2014  }}</ref> Ba's first [[2013–14 Premier League|Premier League]] goal of the season sealed Chelsea's 3–1 victory over [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chelseafc.com/matchday-live/match/71170#matchReport |title=MATCH REPORT: CHELSEA 3 SOUTHAMPTON 1 |publisher=Chelsea FC |date=1 December 2013 |access-date=13 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214041552/http://www.chelseafc.com/matchday-live/match/71170 |archive-date=14 December 2013  }}</ref> He made his first Champions League start on 11 December 2013 and he scored the only goal of the game, as Chelsea won 1–0 against [[FC Steaua București|Steaua București]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chelseafc.com/matchday-live/match/71811#matchReport |title=MATCH REPORT: CHELSEA 1 STEAUA BUCHAREST 0 |publisher=Chelsea FC |date=11 December 2013 |access-date=13 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213012121/http://www.chelseafc.com/matchday-live/match/71811#matchReport |archive-date=13 December 2013  }}</ref> On 8 March 2014, he scored twice after coming on as a 76th-minute substitute in a 4–0 win over [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26396251|title=BBC Sport – Chelsea 4–0 Tottenham Hotspur |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |date=8 March 2014|access-date=10 March 2014}}</ref>

On 8 April 2014, Ba scored an 87th-minute goal in the Champions League quarter-final second-leg against [[Paris Saint-Germain]] to send Chelsea through to the semi-finals.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26914647 | title =  Chelsea 2–0 Paris St-Germain | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 8 April 2014 | access-date = 9 April 2014 | first = Phil | last = McNulty}}</ref> On 13 April, he scored the winning goal as Chelsea won 1–0 at [[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26908679|title=Swansea 0–1 Chelsea|date=13 April 2014|work=BBC}}</ref> On 27 April, during Chelsea's third final match against [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]], [[Steven Gerrard]] slipped over while receiving a pass which allowed Ba to score, resulting in Chelsea winning the game 2–0, helping them to stay in the race for the Premier League title.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thebiglead.com/2014/04/27/steven-gerrards-slip-gifted-demba-ba-a-crucial-goal-in-the-epl-title-race/|title=Gerrard slip gives Chelsea goal|date=27 April 2014|access-date=27 April 2014|archive-date=15 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151115155022/http://thebiglead.com/2014/04/27/steven-gerrards-slip-gifted-demba-ba-a-crucial-goal-in-the-epl-title-race/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Having only scored 14 goals since his arrival in January 2013, Ba fell behind fellow strikers [[Samuel Eto'o]] and [[Fernando Torres]], having spent most of the season being on the sidelines.<ref>{{cite news|title=Chelsea striker Demba Ba happy with performance in 3–1 win over Norwich|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/8962816/chelsea-striker-demba-ba-happy-with-performance-in-3-1-win-over-norwich|publisher=Sky Sports|date=7 October 2013|access-date=18 July 2014}}</ref> After the arrival of [[Diego Costa]] in the summer, Chelsea decided to allow Ba to search for a new club despite his intention to stay for the 2014–15 season.<ref>{{cite news|title=Transfer news: Demba Ba expects to still be at Chelsea next season|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9322604/transfer-news-demba-ba-expects-to-still-be-at-chelsea-next-season|publisher=[[Sky Sports]]|date=23 May 2014|access-date=18 July 2014}}</ref>

===Beşiktaş===
[[File:Demba Ba - John Terry.JPG|thumb|right|200px|Ba playing against former teammate [[John Terry]] in 2014]]

On 16 July 2014, [[Beşiktaş J.K.]] of the Turkish [[Süper Lig]] signed Ba from Chelsea for €6 million.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.kap.gov.tr/bildirim-sorgulari/bildirim-detayi.aspx?id=371845|title=Demba Ba'nın transferine ilişkin olarak Chelsea kulübü ile anlaşmaya varılmıştır|date=18 July 2014|access-date=18 July 2014| language = tr}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Ba moves to Besiktas|url=http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2014/07/ba-moves-to-besiktas.html|work=[[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea.com]]|access-date=18 July 2014|date=18 July 2014}}</ref> He was given the number 9 shirt.<ref name=nine>{{cite web | url = https://www.espn.co.uk/football/league-name/story/1953312/headline | title = Demba Ba completes Besiktas move | website = ESPN | date = 18 July 2014 | access-date = 25 August 2020}}</ref>

Ba made his official competitive debut for the club against [[Feyenoord]] in the first-leg of [[2014–15 UEFA Champions League qualifying phase and play-off round|third qualifying round]] of the [[2014–15 UEFA Champions League]], coming on as a substitute for [[Oğuzhan Özyakup]] in the 59th minute, as the match ended 2–1 for Beşiktaş.<ref name="ECL-Feyenoord-BJK-1stgame-1">{{cite news|title=Beşiktaş Edge Past Feyenoord in Close Contest | url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/2014179--feyenoord-vs-besiktas/ |publisher=[[UEFA]] | date =30 July 2014 | access-date =30 July 2014}}</ref><ref name="ECL-Feyenoord-BJK-1stgame-2">{{cite news|title=Avantaj Beşiktaş'ta! | url=http://www.mackolik.com/Haber/163677/Avantaj-Beşiktaş'ta |publisher=mackolik.com | date = 30 July 2014 | access-date = 30 July 2014 | language = tr}}</ref>
In the second-leg in Istanbul, which was the first time he was in the starting eleven, Ba scored three goals, marking his first hat-trick with the Turkish club in which ended 3–1.<ref name="ECL-Feyenoord-BJK-2ndgame-1">{{cite news|title=Ba treble fires Beşiktaş past Feyenoord | url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/2014194--besiktas-vs-feyenoord/ |publisher=[[UEFA]] | date = 6 August 2014 | access-date = 24 August 2014}}</ref><ref name="ECL-Feyenoord-BJK-2ndgame-2">{{cite news|title= Champions League - Ba hat-trick fires Besiktas past Feyenoord | url=http://www.dailysabah.com/football/2014/08/08/demba-bas-hattrick-fires-besiktas-past-feyenoord |publisher=[[Sabah (newspaper)|Daily Sabah]] | date = 8 August 2014 | access-date = 24 August 2014}}</ref><ref name="ECL-Feyenoord-BJK-2ndgame-3">{{cite news |title=Demba Ba's Hat-Trick Fires Beşiktaş Past Feyenoord |url=https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/football-ba-hat-trick-fires-besiktas-celtic-humbled-221055427--sow.html |publisher=[[Eurosport]] via [[Reuters]] |date=6 August 2014 |access-date=24 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826120557/https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/football-ba-hat-trick-fires-besiktas-celtic-humbled-221055427--sow.html |archive-date=26 August 2014  }}</ref> On 19 August, Ba tried a straight shot right after the kick-off, which was saved by [[FC Arsenal|Arsenal]] keeper [[Wojciech Szczęsny]] at [[2014–15 UEFA Champions League qualifying phase and play-off round#Play-off round|Play-off Round]] first leg, which ended 0–0.<ref name="ECL-Besiktas-Arsenal_1stgame-1">{{cite news|title=Arsenal hold firm to frustrate Beşiktaş | url= https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0218-0e8bbe4d0053-14eb570bee8f-1000--arsenal-hold-firm-to-frustrate-besiktas/ |publisher=[[UEFA]] | date = 19 August 2014 | access-date = 24 August 2014}}</ref>

Ba made a great start to Turkish top flight and scored eight times in 10 games for Besiktas over the first twelve weeks of the season. In UEFA Europa League, Ba proved to be instrumental for Besiktas' success and managed to score five times in five games while Besiktas advanced for the knockout phase.{{citation needed|date=April 2020}}

===Shanghai Shenhua===
On 28 June 2015, it was confirmed that Ba had signed a three-year deal with [[Chinese Super League]] club [[Shanghai Greenland Shenhua F.C.|Shanghai Shenhua]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/12691/9897267/demba-ba-has-joined-chinese-club-shanghai-shenhua-from-besiktas|title=Demba Ba has joined Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua from Besiktas|date=28 June 2015|work=[[Sky Sports]] | access-date=29 June 2015}}</ref> He made his debut on 11 July, starting in a 1–1 draw at [[Tianjin Teda F.C.|Tianjin Teda]], and scored his first goal four days later in a 3–1 home win over [[Beijing Guoan]]. Ba finished the season with six goals in 11 games, including a hat-trick in the final game on 31 October, a 3–1 win over [[Jiangsu Suning F.C.|Jiangsu Sainty]], also at the [[Hongkou Stadium]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Senegalli Gol Makinesi Demba Ba, Jiangsu Mücadelesinde Hat-Trick Yaptı|trans-title=Senegalese goal machine Demba Ba scores a hat-trick against Jiangsu|url=http://www.90min.com/tr/posts/2689696-senegalli-gol-makinesi-demba-ba-jiangsu-mucadelesinde-hat-trick-yapti|access-date=18 July 2016|publisher=90 Min|date=31 October 2015|language=tr}}</ref> Although Shanghai lost to Jiangsu Sainty in the [[2015 Chinese FA Cup]] final, Ba won the titles of 2015 Chinese FA Cup Most Valuable Player and Top Scorer.<ref name="CFA">{{cite web | url = http://sports.sohu.com/20151129/n428772237.shtml | title = 足协杯奖项：舜天主帅最佳教练 登巴巴荣膺MVP | language = zh | website = sports.sohu.com | date = 29 November 2015 | access-date = 18 July 2016}}</ref>

In Ba's second season at Shanghai Shenhua, he scored 14 goals in 18 Super League games, including hat-tricks in wins against [[Shijiazhuang Ever Bright F.C.|Shijiazhuang Ever Bright]] on 3 April 2016, and [[Hangzhou Greentown F.C.|Hangzhou Greentown]] on 19 June.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Yue|first1=Ma|title=Ba's hat-trick fires Shenhua|url=http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sports/soccer/Bas-hattrick-fires-Shenhua/shdaily.shtml|access-date=18 July 2016|work=Shanghai Daily|date=20 June 2016}}</ref> On 17 July, Ba broke his leg during a match against [[Shanghai SIPG F.C.|Shanghai SIPG]] when he was knocked off balance by [[Sun Xiang]] and fell with his leg twisting under him.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.espnfc.com/chinese-super-league/story/2913756/former-chelsea-striker-demba-ba-suffers-horrific-injury-in-shanghai-derby|title=Ex-Chelsea striker Demba Ba suffers horrific injury in Shanghai derby|date=17 July 2016|work=[[ESPN FC]] | access-date=17 July 2016}}</ref> Shenhua coach [[Gregorio Manzano]] stated the injury could potentially "end his professional career."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36820635|title=Demba Ba: Ex-Chelsea & Newcastle striker suffers broken leg|date=17 July 2016|work=[[BBC Sport]] | access-date=17 July 2016}}</ref> French doctor Olivier Bringer performed surgery on Ba's fractured leg successfully on 22 July.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Yue|first1=Ma|title=French doctor claims success in Demba Ba's surgery|url=http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sports/soccer/French-doctor-claims-success-in-Demba-Bas-surgery/shdaily.shtml|access-date=26 July 2016|work=Shanghai Daily|date=22 July 2016}}</ref> After the operation, Bringer affirmed that Ba would be able to play football in a few months.<ref>{{cite news|title=Demba Ba can return to football 'in a few months' after leg break - surgeon|url=http://www.espnfc.com/chinese-super-league/story/2916085/demba-ba-can-return-to-football-after-leg-break-surgeon|access-date=26 July 2016|work=ESPN|date=22 July 2016}}</ref>

===Return to Turkey===
On 31 January 2017, Beşiktaş confirmed that Ba will join the club on loan from Shanghai Shenhua until May 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bjk.com.tr/tr/haber/68902/|publisher=Beşiktaş J.K.|title=Yuvana Hoşgeldin Demba Ba|date=31 January 2017|access-date=31 January 2017 | language = tr}}</ref> On 31 January 2018, Ba joined Turkish Süper Lig side [[Göztepe S.K.]] on a free transfer. Ba scored seven goals and assisted one goal in 13 matches before rejoining [[Shanghai Greenland Shenhua F.C.|Shanghai Shenhua]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.goztepe.org.tr/Haberler/futbol/demba-ba-goztepemizde/6464|publisher=Göztepe S.K.|title=Demba Ba Göztepe'mizde|date=31 January 2018|access-date=31 January 2018|language=tr|archive-date=1 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201075406/https://www.goztepe.org.tr/Haberler/futbol/demba-ba-goztepemizde/6464|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Return to Shanghai Shenhua===
Ba rejoined Shanghai Shenhua on 14 June 2018.<ref>{{cite web | url =http://sports.sina.com.cn/china/j/2018-06-14/doc-ihcwpcmq9595613.shtml| title =申花宣布登巴巴已通过体检正式回归 697天9号归来| website =Sina|date=14 June 2018| access-date = 14 June 2018}}</ref> On 18 July 2018, he made his return debut and scored the winning goal in a 1–0 home win over [[Tianjin TEDA F.C.|Tianjin TEDA]].<ref>{{cite web | url =http://sports.sina.com.cn/china/j/2018-07-18/doc-ihfnsvza3517880.shtml| title =虹口之王归来送绝杀！球迷等了两年 他有未竟之梦| website =Sina|date=18 July 2018| access-date = 19 July 2018}}</ref>

===İstanbul Başakşehir===
In January 2019, Ba terminated his contract with Shenhua by mutual consent and joined Turkish club [[İstanbul Başakşehir F.K.|İstanbul Başakşehir]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://sports.sina.com.cn/china/j/2019-01-22/doc-ihqfskcn9491692.shtml | title = 上海申花官方宣布登巴巴离队 个人原因申请解约 | website = Sina Sport | date = 22 January 2019 | access-date = 23 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46960766 | title = Demba Ba: Ex-Chelsea, Newcastle and West Ham striker joins Turkish Super Lig leaders Istanbul Basaksehir | website = BBC Sport | date = 22 January 2019 | access-date = 22 January 2019}}</ref>

On 19 July 2020, Ba became a champion of Turkey for a second time in his career as Başakşehir were crowned [[2019–20 Süper Lig|Süper Lig]] champions with a 1–0 win over [[Kayserispor]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.beinsports.com/us/turkish-super-league/video/istanbul-basaksehir-wins-turkish-super-lig-fo/1507275|title=İstanbul Başakşehir Wins Turkish Super Lig For First Time In Club's History|website=BeIn Sports|date=19 July 2020|access-date=19 July 2020}}</ref> Ba netted in Başakşehir's 2–3 defeat to [[Kasımpaşa S.K.|Kasımpaşa]] on the final day of the league season, finishing the [[2019–20 İstanbul Başakşehir F.K. season|campaign]] as the club's top league scorer with 13 goals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tff.org/Default.aspx?pageID=29&macID=207452|title=Kasımpaşa 3:2 Başakşehi|website=TFF|date=26 July 2020|access-date=26 July 2020}}</ref>

On 8 December 2020, Ba was involved in a racism row with Romanian referee [[Sebastian Colțescu]], who was the fourth official during a Champions League match between Başakşehir and [[Paris Saint-Germain F.C.|Paris Saint-Germain]]. Ba heard Colțescu saying "negru", confronted him and the match was abandoned when the players subsequently walked off the pitch.<ref>{{cite web |date=16 December 2020 |title=Demba Ba denies racism row with Romanian official for PSG vs Istanbul Basaksehir is over |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/demba-ba-coltescu-istanbul-basaksehir-psg-b1774894.html |last=Rathborn |first=Jack |access-date=6 September 2023 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref>

===FC Lugano===
On 19 June 2021, Ba signed a one-year contract for [[Swiss Super League]] club [[FC Lugano]] on a free transfer.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ba: Swiss club Lugano sign former Chelsea and Besiktas striker|url=https://www.goal.com/en-ae/news/ba-swiss-club-lugano-sign-former-chelsea-and-besiktas/b39rcto7jt0d1l2dgjapijkqo|website=goal.com|publisher=Goal|date=19 June 2021|language=English|accessdate=1 July 2021}}</ref> However, less than three months later on 13 September, Ba announced he had retired from professional football.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=dembabafoot|last=Ba|first=Demba|title=THE START...|number=1437443055293018115|access-date=13 September 2021|language=en}}</ref>

==International career==
Ba played a total of 22 games and scored three goals<ref name="Ba, Demba"/> for [[Senegal national football team|Senegal]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.fifa.com/world-match-centre/nationalleagues/nationalleague=england-premier-league-2000000000/news/newsid/160/137/1/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413140418/http://www.fifa.com/world-match-centre/nationalleagues/nationalleague=england-premier-league-2000000000/news/newsid/160/137/1/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 April 2014|title=The entwined journeys of Ba and Cisse|date=17 March 2012|access-date=11 April 2014|work=FIFA}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Ba is a practising [[Muslim]]. In 2013, He refused, like [[Papiss Cissé]], [[Hatem Ben Arfa]] and [[Cheick Tioté]], to wear Newcastle United's new sponsor [[Wonga.com]]'s name on their shirts because it is a payday loan firm.

He observes fasting during the Islamic month of [[Ramadan]], along with celebrating his goals by performing the [[Sujud]] by bowing towards [[Mecca]].<ref name="themag">{{cite news |last=Smithfield|first=Jackie|url=http://www.themag.co.uk/guest-writers/ramadan-a-positive-for-cisse-ba/|title=Ramadan A Positive For Cisse and Ba?|publisher= Dadyal Online |date=24 July 2012|access-date=30 December 2012}}</ref>

In 2014, when he played for Chelsea, Ba put his jersey up for sale at auction for financing the [[Collective against Islamophobia in France]] (CCIF).<ref>''L'ambiguïté Monsieur Muhammad'', Anne Vidalie, L'Express, p.54, le 14 septembre 2016.</ref> He declared after the [[Charlie Hebdo shooting]]:<ref>''Pas complètement « Charlie » les footballeurs ?'', Régis Dupont, L'Equipe, p.5, le 14 janvier 2015.</ref> {{Blockquote|What happened in France ... I am a Muslim, and what happened is not Islam. I would have worn a black jersey in tribute to the victims and families. But to wear the inscription "Je suis Charlie", I would not have done it.}}

In 2017, Ba brought with [[Nicolas Anelka]] funding to an association created by [[Kémi Séba]], a Pan-Africanist and anti-colonial activist with several convictions for anti-Semitism.<ref>''Kémi Seba, militant nationaliste noir et pourfendeur de Black Lives Matter'', Jules Torres, Valeurs Actuelles, le 17 août 2020.</ref> In August 2020, Ba called on football to condemn China's treatment of [[Uyghurs]].<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53801271 | title = Demba Ba calls for Uighur solidarity protest over treatment by China | website = BBC Sport | date = 19 August 2020 | access-date = 19 August 2020 | first = Mike | last = Henson}}</ref>

On 26 June 2017, Ba co-founded with [[Eden Hazard]], [[Yohan Cabaye]] and [[Moussa Sow]] an expansion [[North American Soccer League (2011–2017)|North American Soccer League]] franchise, [[San Diego 1904 FC]], to begin playing in 2018. In 2021, San Diego 1904 FC merged with [[ASC San Diego|Albion San Diego]], which made Ba the head owner of the newly merged team.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.nasl.com/news/2017/06/26/nasl-announces-expansion-club-in-san-diego-for-2018-season |title = NASL announces expansion club in San Diego for 2018 season |publisher = North American Soccer League |date = 26 June 2017 |access-date = 26 June 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-12-15 |title=San Diego pro men's soccer team 1904 FC merges with youth club Albion |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/soccer/story/2021-12-15/soccer-1904-fc-professional-albion-san-diego-demba-ba-merge-nisa-paul-redfern-noah-gins |access-date=2022-04-08 |website=[[The San Diego Union-Tribune]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Career statistics==
===Club===
{| class=wikitable style=text-align:center
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition<ref name="Soccerway">{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/demba-ba/13192/|title=D. Ba|website=Soccerway|access-date=6 August 2014}}</ref>
|-
!rowspan=2|Club
!rowspan=2|Season
!colspan=3|League
!colspan=2|National cup{{efn|Includes [[DFB-Pokal]], [[FA Cup]], [[Chinese FA Cup]], [[Turkish Cup]]}}
!colspan=2|League cup{{efn|Includes [[Football League Cup]]}}
!colspan=2|Continental
!colspan=2|Other
!colspan=2|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|[[FC Rouen|Rouen]]
|2005–06
|[[Championnat de France amateur|CFA]]
|26||22||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||26||22
|-
|[[R.E. Mouscron|Mouscron]]
|[[2006–07 Belgian First Division|2006–07]]
|[[Belgian Pro League]]
|12||8||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||12||8
|-
|rowspan="5"|[[TSG 1899 Hoffenheim|TSG Hoffenheim]]
|[[2007–08 TSG 1899 Hoffenheim season|2007–08]]
|[[2. Bundesliga]]
|30||12||3||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||33||12
|-
|[[2008–09 TSG 1899 Hoffenheim season|2008–09]]
|[[Bundesliga]]
|33||14||2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||35||14
|-
|[[2009–10 TSG 1899 Hoffenheim season|2009–10]]
|Bundesliga
|17||5||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||18||5
|-
|[[2010–11 Bundesliga|2010–11]]
|Bundesliga
|17||6||3||3||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||20||9
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!97!!37!!9!!3!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!106!!40
|-
|[[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]]
|[[2010–11 West Ham United F.C. season|2010–11]]
|[[Premier League]]
|12||7||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||13||7
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]]
|[[2011–12 Newcastle United F.C. season|2011–12]]
|Premier League
|34||16||0||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||36||16
|-
|[[2012–13 Newcastle United F.C. season|2012–13]]
|Premier League
|20||13||0||0||0||0||2{{efn|name=UEL|Appearances in [[UEFA Europa League]]}}||0||colspan="2"|—||22||13
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!54!!29!!0!!0!!2!!0!!2!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!58!!29
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]
|[[2012–13 Chelsea F.C. season|2012–13]]
|Premier League
|14||2||6||4||2||0||0||0||0||0||22||6
|-
|[[2013–14 Chelsea F.C. season|2013–14]]
|Premier League
|19||5||1||0||3||0||6{{efn|name=UCL|Appearances in [[UEFA Champions League]]}}||3||0||0||29||8
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!33!!7!!7!!4!!5!!0!!6!!3!!0!!0!!51!!14
|-
|[[Beşiktaş J.K.|Beşiktaş]]
|[[2014–15 Beşiktaş J.K. season|2014–15]]
|[[Süper Lig]]
|29||18||3||1||colspan="2"|—||12{{efn|Four appearances and three goals in UEFA Champions League, eight appearances and five goals in UEFA Europa League}}||8||colspan="2"|—||44||27
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Shanghai Greenland Shenhua F.C.|Shanghai Shenhua]]
|[[2015 Shanghai Greenland Shenhua F.C. season|2015]]
|[[Chinese Super League]]
|11||6||5||6||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||16||12
|-
|[[2016 Shanghai Greenland Shenhua F.C. season|2016]]
|Chinese Super League
|18||14||3||3||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||21||17
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!29!!20!!8!!9!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!37!!29
|-
|Beşiktaş (loan)
|[[2016–17 Beşiktaş J.K. season|2016–17]]
|Süper Lig
|2||1||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||2||1
|-
|[[Göztepe S.K.|Göztepe]]
|[[2017–18 Süper Lig|2017–18]]
|Süper Lig
|13||7||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||13||7
|-
|Shanghai Shenhua
|[[2018 Shanghai Greenland Shenhua F.C. season|2018]]
|Chinese Super League
|17||5||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||17||5
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[İstanbul Başakşehir F.K.|İstanbul Başakşehir]]
|[[2018–19 İstanbul Başakşehir F.K. season|2018–19]]
|Süper Lig
|5||2||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||colspan="2"|—||5||2
|-
|[[2019–20 İstanbul Başakşehir F.K. season|2019–20]]
|Süper Lig
|28||13||4||2||colspan="2"|—||9{{efn|name=UEL}}||0||colspan="2"|—||41||15
|-
|[[2020–21 İstanbul Başakşehir F.K. season|2020–21]]
|Süper Lig
|26||5||4||2||colspan="2"|—||6{{efn|name=UCL}}||1||1{{efn|Appearance in [[Turkish Super Cup]]}}||1||37||9
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!59!!20!!8!!4!!colspan="2"|—!!15!!1!!1!!1!!83!!26
|-
|[[FC Lugano|Lugano]]
|[[2021–22 Swiss Super League|2021–22]]
|[[Swiss Super League]]
|3||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||3||0
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!386!!181!!36!!21!!7!!0!!35!!12!!1!!1!!465!!215
|}

{{notelist}}

===International===
Source:<ref name="Ba, Demba">{{NFT player|id=22847|name=Ba, Demba|access-date=5 January 2013 }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! National team !! Year !! Apps !! Goals
|-
|rowspan="9" valign="center"|[[Senegal national football team|Senegal]]
| 2007 || 5 || 1
|-
| 2008 || 0 || 0
|-
| 2009 || 2 || 0
|-
| 2010 || 2 || 0
|-
| 2011 || 2 || 1
|-
| 2012 || 5 || 1
|-
| 2013 || 1 || 0
|-
| 2014 || 4 || 0
|-
| 2015 || 1 || 0
|-
! colspan="2" | Total !! 22 !! 3
|}

:''Scores and results list Senegal's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Ba goal.''<ref name="Ba, Demba"/>

{| class="wikitable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Demba Ba
! No. !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition
|-
| 1. || 2 June 2007 || [[CCM Kirumba Stadium]], [[Mwanza]], Tanzania || {{fb|TAN}} || align=center | 1–1 || align=center | 1–1 || [[2008 Africa Cup of Nations qualification]]
|-
| 2. || 26 March 2011 || [[Stade Léopold Sédar Senghor|Stade Léopold Senghor]], [[Dakar]], Senegal || {{fb|CMR}} || align=center | 1–0 || align=center | 1–0 || [[2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification]]
|-
| 3. || 12 January 2012 
|Stade Léopold Senghor, Dakar, Senegal|| {{fb|SUD}} || align=center | 1–0 || align=center | 1–0 || [[Exhibition game#Association football|Friendly]]
|}

==Honours==
'''Beşiktaş'''
*[[Süper Lig]]: [[2016–17 Süper Lig|2016–17]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Turkey Super Lig 2016/17, Results and Standings - FootballDatabase|url=http://footballdatabase.com/league-scores-tables/turkey-super-lig-2016-17|last=FootballDatabase.com|website=footballdatabase.com|language=en|access-date=29 May 2020}}</ref>

'''İstanbul Başakşehir'''
*Süper Lig: [[2019–20 Süper Lig|2019–20]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dailysabah.com/sports/football/istanbuls-medipol-basaksehir-wins-first-ever-turkish-super-lig-title|title=Istanbul's Medipol Başakşehir wins first ever Turkish Süper Lig title|website=Daily Sabah|date=19 July 2020|access-date=19 July 2020}}</ref>

'''Individual'''
*[[Premier League Player of the Month]]: [[2011–12 Premier League#Monthly awards|December 2011]]<ref name=PremProfile/>
*[[Chinese FA Cup]] Most Valuable Player: [[2015 Chinese FA Cup#Awards|2015]]<ref name="CFA"/>
*[[Chinese Super League]] Team of the Year: [[2016 Chinese Super League#Awards|2016]]<ref>{{cite web | url = http://sports.sohu.com/20161105/n472397199.shtml | title = 2016中超颁奖：高拉特金球金靴 恒大狂揽九奖项 | language = zh | website = sports.sohu.com | date = 5 November 2016 | access-date = 26 September 2021}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{UEFA player}}
* {{FIFA player}}

{{Senegal squad 2012 Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{2016 Chinese Super League Team of the Year}}
{{Chinese FA Cup top scorers}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ba, Demba}}
[[Category:1985 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Footballers from Seine-Maritime]]
[[Category:French men's footballers]]
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