Former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane requested to be excused from Senegal's friendly against England, following criticism and online trolling over his recent performances for the African nation.
Mane, 33, who delighted Anfield for six years playing alongside Mohamed Salah and made his feelings clear on the Egyptian, was disheartened by the widespread criticism he received after the two World Cup qualifiers against Sudan and Togo in March.
Senegal's head coach Pape Thiaw reluctantly granted Mane's request to sit out Friday's match against the Republic of Ireland and Tuesday's encounter with England at the City Ground in Nottingham "for personal reasons."
Mane, currently playing with Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, faces an uncertain future at club level after the Saudi Pro League club informed him that he is free to seek new opportunities this summer.
Senegal coach Thiaw said: "It is a personal decision that belongs to Mane - and I respect it as a coach. Sadio is a very important player for us.
"But I don't coach one player, I coach 26 players, and so the most important thing is the collective. I have put together a squad of players who are available and ready to fight with pride for the national jersey."
Mane left Liverpool after the 2022 Champions League final
Mane left Liverpool after the 2022 Champions League final (Image: Getty Images)
Since making his international debut in 2012, Mane has netted 45 goals in 113 appearances for Senegal. He scored the decisive penalty in the shootout victory over Salah's Egypt in the African Cup of Nations final in 2021, despite missing an earlier spot-kick in the match.
Mane was crowned player of the tournament that year, netting three goals and providing two assists. Yet, the two-time African Footballer of the Year now feels he's become the prime target for criticism, despite his status as a national icon for his on-field brilliance and charitable efforts off the pitch.
The Senegal squad boasts Premier League talents such as Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson, Ismaila Sarr from Crystal Palace, and Tottenham's Pape Sarr. However, it's the star with an illustrious 12-year European career at Metz, Red Bull Salzburg, Southampton, Liverpool, and Bayern Munich who consistently finds himself under the most scrutiny.
Currently sitting second in their group for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, just a point adrift of DR Congo after a stalemate with Sudan and a 2-0 victory over Togo, Mane expressed his feelings: "A lot is said about me and I think I'm the most criticized player in Senegal.
"I don't have a problem with it. Everyone is free to give their opinion. But there must be better things to do than criticise Sadio Mane. What does it even get you?"
Augustin Senghor, president of the Senegalese Football Federation, commented: "Of course, it's a heartbreak because everyone knows what Sadio means to our team. Perhaps it's a blessing in disguise, both for him and for us.
"We hope to have him back in top form for future matches, but this is a great opportunity for others to show themselves. The most important thing is that Sadio is there and ready for the big events to come."