Cristiano Ronaldo’s telling gesture towards Sadio Mane after he returned to Al Nassr following Senegal's Africa Cup of Nations victory has shown the mutual respect the pair have
16:25, 24 Jan 2026
Mane won his second AFCON title with Senegal on Sunday.
Mane won his second AFCON title with Senegal on Sunday.(Image: Abdel Majid BZIOUAT / AFP via Getty Images)
Sadio Mane received a hero’s welcome from his Al-Nassr teammates after helping Senegal lift the Africa Cup of Nations for the second time.
The final against Morocco was overshadowed by controversy, with Senegal briefly refusing to continue after the hosts were awarded a stoppage-time penalty while the match remained goalless. Tempers flared as head coach Pape Thiaw, furious over the referee's earlier decision to rule out a Senegal goal, led his players off the pitch in protest.
Mane, however, remained on the field and attempted to persuade his teammates to return and see out the match. Following the drama, Senegal regrouped. After the late penalty was missed, it went on to secure a narrow 1-0 victory in extra time.
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Mane received a fitting welcome on his return to the Saudi Pro League, with Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates embracing the forward and presenting him with a special cake to celebrate Senegal’s AFCON triumph in North Africa.
The 33-year-old played a pivotal role in Senegal’s second AFCON title, scoring twice and registering three assists during the event. Al-Nassr made sure the achievement did not go unnoticed, rolling out a warm reception for Mane back in the Middle East.
The Saudi Pro League club later shared a video on X showing Mane reuniting with his teammates and head coach Jorge Jesus, accompanied by a celebratory caption which said: "Welcoming back our champion, Sadio Mane. The Nassr way."
Ronaldo, meanwhile, was on hand to cut the cake to celebrate the former Liverpool striker.
Despite winning international honours on two occasions, Mane has suggested that his time with the Senegal national team is drawing to a close.
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The forward intends to represent his country at the World Cup this summer before stepping away from international football.
"I am so happy, but as I have said, for me, as far as the AFCON is concerned, it's over here," Mane said on Sunday. "I will stay with the team until the World Cup, but after that, it's over."
While Mane remains one of Senegal’s most respected figures and greatest players, head coach Thiaw is reluctant to see him retire.
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Rather than simply accept the decision, Thiaw has publicly urged Mane to reconsider, insisting that the choice has not yet been approved. "The country is not in agreement [with his decision], and I am not in agreement," Thiaw told ESPN on Saturday. "We want to keep him as long as possible.
"He represents Africa, the world, and when we say it's his decision, it doesn't just belong to him, he belongs to the people of Senegal, and they want to see him carry on. Considering his example, we need such people like this in the country. He gives lessons, his humility, his education, how he gives his sweat for Senegal.
"He gave his life for this team to get to the World Cup in 2022, he gave his life to win the first AFCON and get the first star. If I had to sign a paper to allow this player to leave, I would say 'no,' and his teammates would say 'no' as well."