Sadio Mane will not feature in Senegal’s international friendly against England on Tuesday after withdrawing from the squad. The 33-year-old is the African nation’s all-time leading goalscorer and highest-profile player, but he will not be on the pitch at the City Ground.
Mane cemented his status as one of European football’s best wingers during his unforgettable six-year spell with Liverpool between 2016-2022. Eyebrows were raised when Liverpool paid Southampton £34 million for his services, but that fee ultimately proved to be a bargain for the Merseyside outfit.
Alongside Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, Mane was part of a now-legendary attacking triumvirate that helped Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool win a host of major titles, including the Premier League, FA Cup, UEFA Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup. In 269 games, Mane scored 120 goals - 90 of which came in the Premier League - exceeding all expectations in the process. He is undoubtedly one of Klopp's and Liverpool's greatest-ever signings.
In July 2022, Mane secured a switch to German giants Bayern Munich after deciding the time was right for a new challenge. However, one year later and the winger was sold to Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Nassr, despite scoring 12 goals in 38 games for Bayern and winning the Bundesliga title.
Weeks before his Bayern Munich departure, it was widely reported that Mane had punched teammate Leroy Sane during a dressing room altercation. It seems this surprising incident ultimately cost him the opportunity to spend longer at the Allianz Arena.
Two years after signing for Al-Nassr, Mane’s football career now appears to be in jeopardy. Not only has he been informed by his current employers that he can look for a new club this summer, per the Liverpool Echo, but he also pulled out of Senegal’s squad for game against the Republic of Ireland (which Senegal drew 1-1 on Friday) and the upcoming showpiece friendly against England.
Sadio Mane's Al-Nassr stats
Reason Behind Sadio Mane's Senegal Withdrawal
Criticism appears to have taken its toll
The Echo say Mane’s withdrawal follows a ‘barrage of criticism and online abuse’ over his recent national team performances. The report adds Mane was left ‘disheartened’ after being the target of ‘harsh criticism’ following March’s World Cup qualifiers against Sudan (0-0 draw) and Togo (2-0 defeat). "A lot is said about me and I think I'm the most criticised player in Senegal," Mane said.
"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?".
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Reacting to Mane’s decision, Senegal coach Pape Thiaw was quoted as saying: “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."
Meanwhile, Augustin Senghor, president of the Senagalese Football Federation (FSF), was quoted by Footboom as saying: "It's definitely a tough moment for us. Everyone knows what Sadio means to our squad. Perhaps this is a blessing in disguise for him and for us. We want to see him at his best for the upcoming challenges."
At 33 years old, it remains to be seen whether Mane - one of the highest-paid players in the Saudi Pro League - will be able to get his career back on track following this latest setback. But it’s clear that he’s currently experiencing the most difficult moment of his journey so far.