Sadio Mane is a
Senegalese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for the
Premier League club Liverpool and the Senegal national team. Born in
Sedhiou, Senegal, he grew up in an impoverished family in the small
village of Bambali. This made him the most expensive African player
of that time. He was inspired to pursue a career in football after he saw his
country’s team perform at their peak at the 2002 World Cup. He later
made his debut for the French club Metz. Eventually, he joined the Red
Bull Salzburg, an Austrian football club. He led them to win the
Austrian Bundesliga as well as the Austrian Cup. He was later signed by
Southampton, where he set a record the next year by scoring the fastest
hat-trick. In 2016, he transferred to Liverpool for around 34 million
euros. This made him the most expensive African player of that time.
Mane also played for the Senegalese national team, helping them reach
the quarter finals in the 2012 Olympic tournament. He played for the
national team at the 2015 and 2017 Africa Cup of Nations as well.
- Sadio Mane made his professional debut for the French Club Metz in January 2012, as a substitute. During his first league season, he made nineteen appearances. In August 2012, he moved to the Austrian football club Red Bull Salzburg. His fee was around 4 million euros. On 31st October, he scored his first hat-trick for the club, and helped his team win in the third round of the Austrian Cup. He continued to perform excellently, leading his team to victories in the Austrian Bundesliga.
- During the 2014-15 season, he transferred to Premier League side Southampton for 11.8 million pounds. He made his debut against Arsenal in which his team registered a 2–1 victory. He continued scoring well for the team, and throughout the season, he led them to multiple victories. He finished the season as the top scorer for the team. In May 2015, Mane scored three times in a 6–1 win over Aston Villa, thereby setting a new Premier League record for the fastest hat-trick.
- He joined the Liverpool Football Club in June 2016, for a transfer fee of 34 million pounds. This fee made him the most expensive African player of that time. He made his Premier League debut in August, scoring the 4th goal to gain a 4-3 victory against Arsenal. Because of his fantastic performance in the season, he was named Liverpool Player of the Season on 9th May 2017. In August 2017, he scored Liverpool's first goal of the season against Watford in a 3-3 draw. He performed well in the ensuing matches as well and was named Premier League Player of the Month for August 2017.
International Career
"Why would I want ten Ferraris, twenty diamond watches, or two planes? What will these objects do for me and for the world? I was hungry, and I had to work in the field; I survived hard times, played football barefooted, I did not have an education and many other things, but today with what I win thanks to football, I can help my people. I built schools, a stadium, we provide clothes, shoes, food for people who are in extreme poverty. In addition, I give 70 euros per month to all people in a very poor region of Senegal which contributes to their family economy. I do not need to display luxury cars, luxury homes, trips and even planes. I prefer that my people receive a little of what life has given me".
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