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Sadio Mane showed his selflessness during Senegal's 5-0 win over South Sudan in World Cup qualifying today, with the former Liverpool winger earning plaudits.
With Senegal already three goals up — one of which was scored by Mane — he won a penalty kick in the second half. But rather than take it himself, he went out of his way to pass the ball to Bayern Munich striker Nicolas Jackson, who was yet to find the back of the net.
Jackson scored and Senegal went on to net another goal before full-time too, through Cherif Ndiaye. Mane's side is top of its qualifying group on 21 points from nine games, while South Sudan is bottom on four points.
"Sadio Mane is a great man," Senegal coach Pape Thiaw said. "He showed today that he doesn’t play for statistics.
"Otherwise, he wouldn’t have given the penalty to Nicolas Jackson. It’s a noble gesture, which reflects the team’s spirit. The harmony between the players is excellent, and I hope it lasts."
Mane left Liverpool in 2022 to sign for Bayern Munich but he now plays for the Saudi Pro League outfit Al Nassr, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Felix.
Mohamed Salah opened up on his relationship with Mane earlier this year.
"I scored a lot [44 goals in my first season], and then Sadio told himself it was his turn to score more too. Yes, there was tension with Sadio," the Egyptian told L'Equipe.
"Mind you, we were professional until the end. I don't think it affected the team. It's human to want more, I understand that, he's a competitor. Off the pitch, we weren't very close, but we always respected each other."
On allegations of him being selfish, Salah said: "I don't care. People can think what they want, it's their right.
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"But I invite everyone to note that the person who provided Mane with the most assists is me. We can look at the facts, but it's obviously easier to throw out phrases like that; it makes the headlines, I know how it works.
"As long as it remains within the limits of respect, that's fine with me. But that doesn't mean that this opinion is true. At the end of the day, I know what I did, and my conscience is clear."
"My instinct and my duty was to defuse the situation between them," Roberto Firmino wrote in his autobiography, referencing the infamous picture of Salah and Mane bickering at Burnley. "Pour water on the fire — never petrol."
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