England is facing Senegal in a friendly at Nottingham's City Ground tonight, but former Liverpool ace Sadio Mane will be notably absent after requesting to step away from international duty due to severe criticism and online abuse.
Mane, a revered figure in Senegalese football history, famously secured his nation's triumph by scoring the decisive penalty against Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations final back in 2021. With 111 caps and 45 goals for Senegal, the 33 year old now graces the pitch for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia following his transfer from Bayern Munich this year, where he is raking in huge earnings but could soon be replaced by a Manchester United star.
His storied six-year tenure at Liverpool is remembered fondly, during which he played a pivotal role in capturing the Premier League, Champions League, and Club World Cup among other honors.
His most recent appearance for Senegal was in March's World Cup qualifiers against Sudan and Togo, where despite starting both matches, Mane did not score and subsequently expressed frustration over the negative remarks directed towards him post-match.
Reflecting on the ordeal, Mane said: "A lot is said about me and I think I'm the most criticised 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?", reports the Express.
Senegal manager Pape Thiaw has accepted Sadio Mane's decision to withdraw from the national team's upcoming fixtures, including a match against England. Thiaw stated: "It is a personal decision that belongs to Mane - and I respect it as a coach. Sadio is a very important player for us."
Thiaw added that he prioritises the collective effort of the team, saying: "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."
Sadio Mane
Sadio Mane won't be involved when Senegal take on England in a friendly tonight (Image: GETTY)
Augustin Senghor, president of the Senegalese Football Federation, expressed disappointment but also saw a potential silver lining: "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."