Why we will struggle to remember sensational Sadio Mane as the main man
In last week’s African Cup of Nations final, a moment of tension captured the essence of Sadio Mane’s career.
Following a controversial late penalty awarded to Morocco, the Senegalese players left the field of play. Facing impending defeat, it was Mane who led his team-mates back onto the pitch. The gesture drew widespread acclaim, a rare instance when the sport paused to recognise integrity over reaction.
Humility, however, is seldom rewarded in football. Mane’s unassuming nature has long worked against him in a sport that prizes visibility and individual acclaim. It was unusual for him to be collectively centred on as a protagonist. As he lifted the AFCON trophy, his conduct and performances served as a reminder of a player whose influence has often been felt more than it has been celebrated.
Throughout his career, managers, team-mates and supporters have benefitted from Mane’s selflessness. He has consistently operated without concern for personal recognition. Relentless work rate and a willingness to sacrifice have underpinned his success. While those traits are fundamental to winning teams, they are rarely emphasised when legacies are constructed. Instead, football tends to prioritise individuality and flair when defining greatness.
That imbalance is reinforced by the weight placed on individual honours; a Ballon d’Or often carries greater weight than collective silverware. At Liverpool, Mane was central to a period of sustained success, frequently creating the conditions for others to thrive.
Mohamed Salah’s rise was built, in part, on that foundation. While their on-pitch rivalry suggested near-equal ability, it was Salah’s accumulation of Golden Boots and Player of the Year awards that elevated him into the highest tier of Premier League legends, leaving Mane comparatively overlooked.
Mane’s rejection of football’s version of legacy is clearest away from the pitch itself. His charitable work, including a £250,000 donation towards a school in Bambali, reflects priorities that extend far beyond football. Shaped by humble beginnings, he has never sought to amplify these acts or attach them to his name.
It is that absence of ego that now complicates how Mane will be remembered. Those who watched him week in, week out retain a clear understanding of his value. Yet playing away from Europe’s constant spotlight, and with international retirement reportedly approaching, his career enters a period of reflection.
Mane’s influence on winning teams is undeniable. Whether football chooses to remember it with the clarity it deserves is far less certain.
