10 fun facts about Sadio Mane

Sadio Mané, born on April 10, 1992, is a Senegalese professional footballer currently playing for Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr and the Senegal national team. Known for his exceptional speed, strength, dribbling skills, and goal-scoring abilities, Mané is rapidly establishing himself as one of the top forwards in the world.

Mané embarked on his professional journey with Ligue 2 club Metz at the age of 19. However, after a single season, he made a move to Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg in 2012 for a transfer fee of €4 million. During the 2013-14 season, he achieved a league and cup domestic double with the club. Subsequently, in the same summer, Mané transferred to English club Southampton for a record-breaking fee of £11.8 million.

It was during his time at Southampton that he set a new Premier League record for the fastest hat-trick, scoring three goals in just 176 seconds in a 6-1 victory over Aston Villa in 2015.

On the international stage, Mané has made significant contributions to the Senegal National Football Team since his debut in 2012. With 41 goals in 103 appearances, he currently holds the title of Senegal’s all-time leading goalscorer and ranks second in terms of all-time appearances. Mané represented Senegal in various tournaments, including the 2012 Olympics and the Africa Cup of Nations in 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2023.

In the 2019 tournament, he played a crucial role in helping Senegal reach the final and was subsequently named the African Footballer of the Year in the following year.

In the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations final, Mané scored the decisive penalty kick, securing Senegal’s first-ever title and earning himself the Player of the Tournament award. In 2022, he was honored as the African Player of the Year for the second time. Additionally, Mané represented his nation in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, marking Senegal’s second appearance in the prestigious competition. Here are some fun facts about Mané.

1. He had a humble beginning

Mane, who was born on 10 April 1992 in the village of Bambali in Sedhiou, Senegal, was the son of a local Imam. In a region where 70 percent of families live in poverty, Mane saw football as his opportunity for a brighter future. Tragically, the loss of his father, who had been battling illness for a long time, had a profound impact on him.

He said, “It was tough because I didn’t have anyone behind me to push me to achieve my dream. But I never stopped dreaming. When I was young my dad was always saying how proud he was of me.”

“He was a man with a big heart. When he died, it had a big impact on me and the rest of my family. I said to myself: ‘Now I have to do my best to help my mother.’ That’s a hard thing to deal with when you are so young.”

2. Started with Generation Foot

Mane caught the attention of scouts in 2009 when he was playing for M’Bour, a club that he played a crucial role in helping them achieve promotion to the second division during the 2010-2011 season. Subsequently, he was referred to Generation Foot.

In 2011, Mane made the decision to leave his home country and move to France, thanks to Generation Foot’s partnership with French side Metz. This partnership allows one player to join the club each year. In January of the following year, Mane made his professional debut for the club in a match against Bastia in Ligue 2. He later scored his first goal against Guingamp.

3. He idolises El Hadji Diouf

In 2002, Mane, at the age of 10, witnessed the start of something extraordinary for him. Senegal’s national football team made it to the quarter-finals of the World Cup and reached the final of the Africa Cup of Nations.

This remarkable achievement was made possible by the presence of renowned players such as Aliou Cisse, Khalilou Fadiga, and El Hadji Diouf. Mane fondly recalls this period as the pinnacle of Senegalese football. According to his best friend, Luc, Sadio had two idols during that time. While he admired Ronaldinho, it was El Hadji Diouf who truly inspired them to pursue their passion for football.

4. He’s very charitable

Mane’s father was unable to receive the necessary medical attention to save his life due to the absence of a hospital in the village. In 2021, Mane took the initiative to establish the first hospital in Bambali. Additionally, two years later, he contributed to the construction of a new school in his hometown. The total cost for both projects exceeded $1 million.

Mane has also made donations towards the fight against coronavirus in his home country and the construction of a mosque in Bambali. Furthermore, he generously sent 300 Liverpool shirts to his village when the team reached the 2018 UEFA Champions League final, and he flew 50 Senegal fans to Cameroon for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations semi-final in 2022.

5. He holds the record of the fastest Hat-Trick in Premier League

Sadio Mane’s career took a major turn on 16 May 2015, during a match between Southampton and Aston Villa. Mane stunned everyone by scoring three incredible goals in just under 3 minutes. This record remains unbroken even today.

6. One of Africa’s greatest footballers

He is widely recognized as one of Africa’s top athletes on the global stage. With 50 goals under his belt, he holds the title of Senegal’s all-time leading goal scorer, having earned over 90 caps for his national team, placing him third in terms of appearances for the Lions of Teranga. His reputation as a legend was solidified when he was named the Man of the Tournament at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2019, and he further cemented his status by scoring the winning penalty in 2022 as Senegal claimed their first continental title.

7. The most expensive African footballer at some point

Upon joining Southampton in 2014, Sadio Mane became the club’s priciest acquisition. His impressive displays for The Saints caught the eye of Liverpool, who secured his services for a fee of £34 million in 2016. Mane’s transfer sum set a new record for the most expensive African Footballer, surpassing the £28 million Manchester City spent on Wilfried Bony from Swansea City in 2015.

8. Liverpool’s second highest goalscorer

During his tenure at Liverpool, he netted an impressive 111 goals, placing him just behind Mo Salah in terms of goal-scoring ability among current players. Sadio Mane has proven to be a key player for Liverpool, scoring vital goals in both the league and the Champions League, solidifying his position as a consistent performer for the REDS.

9. Same birthday with football legend

Mane celebrates his birthday on the same day as Liverpool icon Ian Callaghan, who holds the record for the most appearances for the club with 857 games. Although Mane hasn’t reached that milestone, he has undoubtedly become a crucial player for the current Liverpool team.

10. Given a huge honour in Senegal

Following his crucial role in securing the Africa Cup of Nations victory for his country in 2021, Mane was honored with the prestigious title of Grand Officer of the National Order of the Lion, the highest honor in Senegal, bestowed upon him by President Macky Sall.