Being Judged
Life had been a constant struggle for Sadio. He’d come up against virtually impossible odds. Now he had achieved everything he could have ever dreamed of.
The doubters and hecklers were still around. They had just changed now to anonymous keyboard critics that questioned his every decision. He was called cheap and mocked. But not many of those same critics knew his real story.
A Hard Life
Sadio Mané was born in a small village in Bambali, Sédhiou Department, Senegal. As a young child, he was forced to live with an uncle. Coming from a large family, his parents did not have enough money to personally raise all of the children.
Not even having the financial means to attend school, Sadio spent most of his childhood playing soccer in the village. He had huge dreams but, given his meager background, these seemed impossible.
Background
Sadio was raised a devout Muslim like many others from the region. His father was a religious leader known as an Imam. Due to this, he was forbidden from playing soccer.
Sadio was bitterly disappointed. He dreamed of one day playing soccer for a major European club in the English Premier League. However, a tragic twist of fate changed things.
Many Challenges
Unfortunately, at the age of 7, Sadio’s dad passed away. While he was sad about his father, Sadio also believed that he could now go ahead and pursue soccer.
According to him, “Everyone would tell me I was the best in the village, but my family wasn’t a footballing one. They are big on religion and wanted different things for me.” Sadio was devastated at not being able to pursue his dreams.
His Inspiration
As a young man, watching the Senegalese national team in the 2002 Fifa Soccer World Cup was hugely inspirational. African nations did not have a good record at the world-famous cup.
However, Senegal had an exciting crop of young players that year and did better than expected. Sadio was determined now to follow his dreams no matter the cost.
A Big Decision
Sadio was able to convince his elders to allow him to leave the village. Recognizing his talent, his uncle, other families, and the villagers raised enough money for him to travel to Dakar, the capital.
Once there, he was forced to reside with strangers. Making it in the world of soccer in Europe (where the game was better known as European football), would mean a lot to Sadio’s family but it still seemed an impossible dream.
Being Mocked
Early on, Sadio was mocked for his poverty-stricken background. Facing jeers, critics, and a number of doubters, he tried out for a local team in Dakar.
His coach instantly recognized what a special talent he was. He was immediately given a place in the team and would score 131 goals in 90 games for them. However, life still wasn’t easy.
The Next Step
Playing for a local club meant that Sadio still faced immense financial difficulties. However, a chance encounter soon changed his life. While French football scouts were in the region, he was spotted and immediately signed.
Incredibly, he was signed by French football club Metz as a teenager. While Metz struggled, Sadio’s talent was recognizable and he was soon bought by the Austrian team, Red Bull Salzburg for a Metz club-record fee of 4 million pounds ($4,8 million).
An Incredible Journey
Sadio’s immense talent, speed, and dribbling skills set him apart as a striker. He was soon attracting the attention of many bigger clubs in Europe.
He had come a long way from playing in the street, barefoot, often going hungry, and struggling from poverty. When one club, in particular, came calling, Sadio was finally able to live out his dream.
The Premier League
When Sadio was signed by English club, Southampton, he achieved a lifelong dream of being able to play in the English Premier League. He was impressive and soon became one of the hottest young talents in the league.
He still hadn’t broken into one of the major European teams. However, after many impressive displays, Sadio then achieved the unthinkable when he signed for European football giant, Liverpool FC for 34 million pounds.
Liverpool
As a striker for one of the most prestigious clubs in world football, Sadio became a household name in soccer. During his time there, he was an integral part of the Liverpool squad that went on to win the UEFA Champions League, a club world cup trophy, and 4 other major championships.
Incredibly, he also helped guide Liverpool FC to winning the premier league, a trophy the club hadn’t managed to win in 30 years. By 2021, Sadio also won the AFCON championship with Senegal, the highest honor in African football. So why were people still mocking him?
Misunderstood
Sadio’s immense rise in football made him a multi-millionaire. While other football stars used their wealth to buy luxurious cars, houses, and even private planes, Sadio was different.
People soon noticed that he lived a humble lifestyle by comparison. When a famous photo revealed that he used a phone with a cracked screen, he was mocked, berated, and even called cheap. However, no one knew what he really spent his money on.
Giving Back
When asked why he lived so meagerly compared to his teammates, Sadio’s answer made people finally understand what truly made him great. He said, “I don't need to show off fancy cars, big houses, travel, or airplanes. I prefer that my people receive a little of what life has given me”.
Rather than spending outrageous amounts of money on himself, people learned Sadio Mané had instead been using his money to build schools, hospitals, electricity connections, football grounds, and to provide internet connectivity to his village back in Senegal.
A Legend
Far from being cheap, Sadio silenced his critics and has attained legendary status among football fans for his philanthropy. As a role model, he is known for his great humility, devoutly following his religion to this day, and always choosing to enrich the lives of others above his own.
For club and country, he had become an icon and one of the most loved footballers in history for his talent and the way he chooses to live his life in a world beset by materialism. In 2022, Sadio announced a new chapter in his life.
The Legend Lives On
This year, Mane began a new chapter when he signed for fellow European club giant Bayern Munich of Germany. Sadio leaves Liverpool FC where he’s fondly remembered for helping the team win six major trophies in six years.
In Senegal, he is revered with an almost God-like status for his standing in the country’s national team and the kind of role model he is to others who face immense difficulties there. A true legend on and off the pitch, he will again represent Senegal this year at the 2022 Fifa World Cup.