Sadio Mané

BIOGRAPHY

Sadio Mane is a Senegalese professional footballer who plays as a forward or winger for Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr and the Senegal national team. Renowned for his pressing, dribbling, and speed, Mané is regarded by several sources as one of the most exceptional African players in history.

At the age of 19, he made his debut for the French club Metz. But after just a year in 2012, he moved on to Austria’s Red Bull Salzburg. There, he led them to win the Austrian Bundesliga as well as the Austrian Cup in the 2013-14 season. That same summer, Mané landed in England with Southampton, where he made Premier League history in 2015 by scoring the fastest hat-trick ever in just under 3 minutes (176 seconds) during a 6-1 win over Aston Villa.

In 2016, he transferred to Liverpool for a fee of £34 million, which made him the most expensive African player of that time. At Liverpool, he formed a lethal attacking trio alongside Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, following Philippe Coutinho’s departure. Together, they brought Liverpool to consecutive UEFA Champions League finals in 2018 and 2019, with the team winning the latter.

Mané also clinched the Premier League Golden Boot by finishing as the joint-top goalscorer in the 2018–19 season. His contributions were pivotal in ending Liverpool’s 30-year league title drought, as they secured the 2019–20 Premier League title.

His outstanding performances earned him recognition in prestigious awards: he finished fourth and second in the 2019 and 2022 editions of the Ballon d’Or. He also ranked fifth in The Best FIFA Men’s Player award in 2019 and fourth in 2020.

Mane also played for the Senegalese national team, helping them reach the quarter-finals in the 2012 Olympic tournament. He played a crucial role in Senegal’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations runner-up finish and was named African Footballer of the Year. In the 2021 final, he secured Senegal’s first title with a decisive penalty kick and was honored as the Player of the tournament. Mané also represented Senegal in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

PERSONAL LIFE

Sadio Mane was born on 10th April 1992 in Sedhiou, Senegal to Guinean parents. He grew up in a small village in Bambali, located in the south of Senegal. He endured an impoverished childhood but harbored big dreams for the future. He was inspired to pursue a career in football after he saw his country’s national team perform at their best in the 2002 World Cup.

His father initially forbade him from playing the sport. He passed away when Mané was just seven years old. At 15, Mané took matters into his own hands and ran away from his home village with the help of his childhood friend, Luc Djiboune. He escaped to Dakar, where he aimed to pursue his dream of becoming a professional footballer.

He is a devout Muslim and is occasionally seen making du’a (supplication) before matches. His dedication to both football and faith has earned him recognition and respect.

In January 2024, Mané married Aisha Tamba through an Islamic rite. Their age difference—Mané being 31 and Aisha 18—has drawn attention, but their love story reportedly began more than two years before their marriage.

Club career

Early Years

Sadio Mané playing for Metz.

Born in Sédhiou, Sénégal, Mané started his career at the Académie Génération Foot, Senegalese football academy. Mané made his professional debut for Metz on 14 January 2012, coming on as a substitute for Kévin Diaz in the 75th minute of a 0–1 home defeat against Bastia in Ligue 2. He made 19 appearances in his first league season, 12 as a starter, and scored a solitary goal in a 2–5 loss to Guingamp at the Stade Saint-Symphorien on 4 May. Metz were relegated to the Championnat National at the end of the season.

Red Bull Salzburg

On 31 August 2012, Mané moved to Austrian Bundesliga side Red Bull Salzburg for the third biggest transfer fee that FC Metz had ever received. The fee was believed to be €4 million. He scored his first hat-trick for the club on 31 October, in a 3–1 away win at Kalsdorf in the third round of the Austrian Cup.

On 27 October 2013, he netted his first hat-trick in the Austrian Bundesliga, during a 3–0 win away to Grödig. He scored another treble on 7 May 2014 as Salzburg won 7–0 at Horn in the cup semi-finals. The season ended with the team winning a domestic double. At the end of August 2014, Mané forced a transfer out of the club, by not coming to the training and to the most important game for Salzburg at that time to qualify for the Champions League.

Southampton

2014–15 Season

On 1 September 2014, Mané transferred to Premier League side Southampton for £11.8 million, signing a four-year contract. He made his debut 22 days later in a 2–1 League Cup victory over Arsenal, winning the penalty for Southampton’s first goal. He made his first league appearance for the club in another 2–1 victory over Queens Park Rangers on 27 September, starting and assisting Ryan Bertrand for the first goal of the game.

Mané scored his first goal for the club in an 8–0 victory over Sunderland on 18 October, although this was subsequently credited as an own goal by Patrick van Aanholt. He did, however, score his first goal in his next game, a 1–0 win over Stoke City a week later.

In December and January, he scored in three successive matches against Crystal Palace, Chelsea, and Arsenal. Mané scored two late winning goals in 1–0 league victories at Queens Park Rangers on 7 February 2015 and at home to Crystal Palace on 3 March respectively. However, Mané was dropped from Southampton’s starting line-up for their 0–2 home defeat to Liverpool on 22 February as a punishment for being late to the stadium.

On 16 May, during Southampton’s final home match of the season, Mané scored three times in 2 minutes 56 seconds in a 6–1 win over Aston Villa to set a new Premier League record for the fastest hat-trick. The record had been held since 1994 by Robbie Fowler, who scored three against Arsenal in 4 minutes and 33 seconds. Mané finished the season with 10 goals from 32 appearances in all competitions.

2015–16 Season

Mané began the 2015–16 season by registering two assists in the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round first leg match with Vitesse Arnhem at home and scoring in the return leg, as Southampton eased through to the next round 5–0 on aggregate. On 2 December, he took 39 seconds to open the scoring against Liverpool in the quarter-finals of the League Cup, but the Saints eventually lost 6–1 at home.

On 2 January 2016, he was again dropped from the starting line-up by manager Ronald Koeman for a match at Norwich City when he turned up late for a pre-match meeting. He received a straight red card on 12 March at the end of a 2–1 win at Stoke City for a collision into Erik Pieters, although this was quickly overturned on appeal. Having failed to score in the league for over four months, Mané scored twice in a 3–2 victory over Liverpool on 20 March 2016, followed by five goals in the next five matches, including a hat-trick in a 4–2 victory against Manchester City on 1 May. He finished the season as Southampton’s top scorer, with 15 goals in all competitions.

Sadio Mané playing for Southampton. (Image source Sky Sports)

Mané’s Arrival at Liverpool

On 28 June 2016, Mané joined Liverpool for a transfer fee of £34 million on a five-year contract. On 14 August, he made his Premier League debut for the Reds, scoring the fourth goal in a 4–3 away win against Arsenal. Having missed Liverpool’s defeat at Burnley through a slight shoulder injury, Mané returned to the starting line-up against Burton Albion in the League Cup where he had two assists in a 5–0 win.

On 19 December, Mané scored the only goal of the 227th Merseyside derby in added time against Everton at Goodison Park. On 11 February 2017, he scored two goals within two minutes against Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield, for Liverpool’s first league win in 2017. On 20 April 2017, Mané was named in the PFA Team of the Year after scoring 13 league goals in his first season with Liverpool. Despite missing the latter part of the campaign through injury, Mané was awarded the Liverpool Player of the Season on 9 May 2017.

2017-18: Premier League Player of the Month and “Fab Three”

In the first match of the new season, on 12 August 2017, away to Watford, Mané scored Liverpool’s first goal in a 3–3 draw. He was named Premier League Player of the Month after finding the net in each of the Reds’ three matches in August.

On 9 September 2017, he was given a straight red card in the first half of a 5–0 loss to Manchester City for a high boot against goalkeeper Ederson, resulting in a three-match ban. Mané, Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, and Philippe Coutinho made up a prolific attacking quartet dubbed the “Fab Four” and “Fab Three” after the mid-season exit of the latter.

European Triumphs and Record-Breaking Feats

On 14 February 2018, Mané scored his first hat-trick for Liverpool in a 5–0 away win against Porto in the round of 16 first leg of the 2017–18 UEFA Champions League. In doing so, he became only the second player to score an away hat-trick for the club in Europe. Later, with a goal in the 3–0 win over Bournemouth on 14 April, he overtook Demba Ba’s record of 43 to become the highest-scoring Senegalese in Premier League history.

On 26 May, during the 2018 UEFA Champions League Final against Real Madrid, Mané scored Liverpool’s equalizing goal in a 3–1 defeat. In doing so, he became the first Senegalese player to score in the final of the competition. His goal was also his 10th for the campaign which saw Liverpool become the first team in history to have three players score 10+ goals in a single Champions League season, with Mané achieving the milestone alongside fellow forwards Salah and Firmino.

2018-19: Contract Extension and Goal-Scoring Milestones

On 22 November 2018, Mané signed a new long-term deal with The Reds. On 10 March 2019, Mané scored twice in a 4–2 win over Burnley, the second of which was his 50th competitive goal for Liverpool. His goals also saw him become only the fifth Liverpool player to score in six consecutive home Premier League appearances after Michael Owen, Fernando Torres, Luis Suárez, and Salah.

Three days later, he scored twice more in a 3–1 win over Bayern Munich to help Liverpool progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League. In doing so, he became the club’s record goalscorer away from home in the competition with seven goals to his name. During Liverpool’s next match, he broke another of Ba’s records to become the Senegalese player with the most goals scored in a single Premier League season, after scoring his 17th goal for the campaign in a 2–1 win over Fulham.

Sadio Mane scoring his 20th goal of the season with Liverpool in a 2-1 victory over Fulham. (Image source Liverpool FC)

Recognition and Golden Boot Share

On 20 April, he was one of six players nominated for the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award alongside teammate Virgil van Dijk. He was also named in the PFA Team of the Year alongside Liverpool teammates, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andrew Robertson, and van Dijk.

On the final day of the domestic campaign, Mané scored twice in a 2–0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers. His brace took him to 22 goals for the campaign which saw him share the Premier League Golden Boot award with Salah and Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

2019-20: Super Cup Final and Anfield Milestone

On 14 August 2019, Sadio Mané played a pivotal role in the 2019 UEFA Super Cup final against Chelsea. He scored twice during the match, which ended 2–2 after extra time. Liverpool ultimately triumphed 5–4 on penalties, and Mané was deservedly named the man of the match. Just a month later, he continued his impressive form by netting twice in a 3–1 victory over Newcastle United.

This achievement extended his unbeaten streak at Anfield to 50 matches—a remarkable league record for any player at a specific stadium. On his 100th Premier League appearance for Liverpool, Mané reached another milestone, scoring his 50th league goal in a 2–1 win against Leicester City.

Ballon d’Or Award and Club Victories

In October 2019, Mané found himself on the 30-man shortlist for the prestigious Ballon d’Or award. Although he finished fourth in the final rankings behind Lionel Messi, Liverpool teammate Virgil van Dijk, and Cristiano Ronaldo, his impact on the pitch remained undeniable. Just days after the Ballon d’Or ceremony, Mané contributed significantly to Liverpool’s 5–2 victory over Everton in the Merseyside derby, extending their unbeaten league run to 32 matches—a new club record. Later that month, Liverpool secured the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup title, with Mané playing a crucial role in setting up the winning goal scored by Firmino in the final against Flamengo.

African Footballer of the Year and Record-Breaking Feats

On 7 January 2020, Mané received the prestigious CAF African Footballer of the Year award, becoming only the second Senegalese player (after El Hadji Diouf) to achieve this honor. His consistent performances continued throughout the season. In February, he scored the decisive goal in a 3–2 home win against West Ham United, helping Liverpool secure their 21st consecutive home victory—a league record shared with Bill Shankly’s iconic team from 1972.

Additionally, Liverpool achieved a joint Premier League record of 18 consecutive wins in a row. In March, Mané’s winning goal against Bournemouth set a new English top-flight record of 22 consecutive home wins. Liverpool’s remarkable form culminated in winning the Premier League title at the end of the season.

2020-21 Season: Triumphs and Trials

The 2020–21 season brought both highs and lows for Mané. In September 2020, he opened his scoring account with both goals in Liverpool’s 2–0 away win against Chelsea. However, in October, Mané tested positive for COVID-19. Despite personal and team challenges, he remained committed. Mané candidly described the season as the worst of his career. Yet, on the final day of the league season, he delivered once again, scoring a crucial brace in a 2–0 win over Crystal Palace. Liverpool secured third place and qualification for the next Champions League campaign, showcasing Mané’s resilience and determination.

2021-22 Season: Mané’s 100th Goal for Liverpool and Premier League

On September 18, 2021, Sadio Mané etched his name in Liverpool’s history books by scoring his 100th goal for the club. The occasion occurred during a commanding 3–0 home victory against Crystal Palace in the Premier League. Notably, this goal also set a new Premier League record, as Mané became the first player to score in nine consecutive league matches against the same opponent, surpassing Robin van Persie’s previous record of eight consecutive goals against Stoke.

On October 16, Mané achieved another remarkable feat: he became only the third African player to reach the coveted milestone of 100 Premier League goals. Following in the footsteps of legends Didier Drogba and Mohamed Salah, Mané accomplished this milestone with Liverpool’s opening goal in a resounding 5–0 away victory against Watford.

April 10, 2022, marked Mané’s 30th birthday, and he celebrated it in style. During an encounter against Manchester City, he delivered when it mattered most, scoring Liverpool’s equalizing goal in a 2–2 draw.

FA Cup Semi-Final Double

In a high-stakes FA Cup semi-final clash at Wembley Stadium, Mané rose to the occasion. His two crucial goals propelled Liverpool to a 3–2 victory over Manchester City, securing their place in the FA Cup final. It was a historic moment for the Reds, as they reached the final for the first time since 2012, ultimately lifting the trophy.

Champions League Final

Mané’s heroics extended to the Champions League. On May 3, he solidified his place in Liverpool’s European legacy by scoring the winning goal in a tense 3–2 away victory over Villarreal in the semi-final. This crucial strike ensured Liverpool’s place in the final, where they faced Real Madrid. Despite their efforts, Liverpool narrowly lost 1–0, missing out on the historic quadruple. Nevertheless, Mané’s contributions were pivotal as they secured both the EFL Cup and the FA Cup.

Transfer to Bayern Munich

On June 22, 2022, Sadio Mané signed a contract with Bundesliga club Bayern Munich, committing to the German side until June 30, 2025. The transfer fee was initially €32 million (£27.4m), with the potential to rise to €41 million (£35m) based on appearances and individual/team achievements.

Mané made his official debut for Bayern Munich on July 30, 2022, during the 2022 DFL Supercup. In this match against RB Leipzig at the Red Bull Arena, he scored his debut goal, contributing to Bayern’s 5–3 victory. Just a week later, he secured his first Bundesliga goal in a convincing 6–1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt.

Injury Setback and Comeback

Unfortunately, on November 8, Mané suffered an injury during Bayern’s 6–1 victory against Werder Bremen. The injury forced him to miss the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and he underwent surgery on his right fibula. After a three-month recovery period, Mané returned to the pitch on February 26, 2023, as a substitute in Bayern’s 3–0 win against Union Berlin, replacing Kingsley Coman in the 65th minute.

In April, Mané faced suspension and fines from Bayern Munich. Reports indicated that he had punched teammate Leroy Sané in the dressing room following a 3–0 Champions League quarter-final loss to Manchester City. Despite this setback, Mané celebrated a Bundesliga victory in May, as Bayern clinched the title after league leaders Borussia Dortmund dropped points.

Despite initially impressing, Mané had an underwhelming season at Bayern Munich, scoring 12 goals in 38 games.

Al Nassr

Sadio Mané left Bayern Munich to join the Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr in August 2023. He signed a four-year contract with the club until 2027. The transfer fee was reported to be around £24 million.

Prior to joining Al-Nassr, Mané received recommendations from former Liverpool teammates Fabinho and Roberto Firmino to consider joining Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia. His former Liverpool captain, Jordan Henderson, also sent him a good luck message upon his departure to Saudi Arabia.

Mané made his debut for Al-Nassr in the 2023 Arab Club Champions Cup, replacing Abdulaziz Al-Aliwa during a 1–1 draw with Zamalek. His first goal for the club came on August 14th in a closely contested 2–1 loss against Al-Ettifaq in the league.

National career

2012-17: Olympic Tournament and Africa Cup of Nations

Mané was part of the Senegal team at the 2012 Olympic tournament and started every match as they advanced through Group A as runners-up to Great Britain before losing 4–2 after extra time in the quarter-finals to eventual champions Mexico.

Mané was ruled out of the Senegalese squad for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations after suffering a calf injury in Southampton’s 2–0 win against Arsenal on 1 January 2015. He later returned to the squad and started in their final two group matches against South Africa and Algeria in a group stage exit.

He also represented Senegal at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and scored a goal in each of the nation’s opening two games, 2–0 wins against Tunisia and Zimbabwe. After a goalless draw in the quarter-final clash against Cameroon, he missed in the penalty shootout as Senegal were eliminated.

2018 FIFA World Cup

In May 2018, Sadio Mané earned a spot in Senegal’s 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. During the group stage, he scored the opening goal in a 2–2 draw against Japan. Despite their efforts, Senegal was eliminated after the first stage, finishing below Japan based on fair play points.

2019 Africa Cup of Nations Final

Mané once again represented Senegal at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. In the group stage, he scored two goals and helped secure a 3–0 victory against Kenya. Senegal advanced to the knockout stage, where Mané scored the decisive goal in a 1–0 win over Uganda. The team eventually reached the final but narrowly lost 1–0 to Algeria. Despite this, Mané’s outstanding performance earned him a place in the Team of the Tournament.

Sadio Mané celebrating after winning the African Cup of Nations final against Egypt. (Image source CNN Sports)

2021 Africa Cup of Nations Triumph

At the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, Sadio Mané played a pivotal role in Senegal’s historic victory. The team clinched the championship for the first time, and Mané’s performance was nothing short of remarkable. In the final match against Egypt, he faced off against his Liverpool teammate, Mohamed Salah. Although Mané missed a penalty in the 7th minute, he later redeemed himself by scoring the decisive kick in the penalty shootout. His overall contribution included three goals and two assists prior to the final, earning him the title of Player of the Tournament.

Mané’s Hat-Trick and 2022 World Cup Qualification

On June 4, 2022, Mané achieved another milestone. In the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification match against Benin, he scored a hat-trick, surpassing Henri Camara to become Senegal’s all-time leading scorer with 32 goals. His consistent performance continued to make headlines.

Despite an injury setback during Bayern Munich’s 6–1 victory over Werder Bremen, Mané’s inclusion in Senegal’s 26-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar demonstrated his importance to the team. Unfortunately, on November 17, 2022, he was ruled out of the tournament and had to withdraw from the squad.

Mané’s 100th Appearance for Senegal

His commitment to representing Senegal remained unwavering. On November 18, 2023, he celebrated his 100th appearance for the national team. In a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against South Sudan, he scored twice, reinforcing his status as a key player for Senegal.

In December 2023, Mané received further recognition. He was named in Senegal’s squad for the postponed 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, which took place in the Ivory Coast.