Sadio Mané, a professional footballer from Senegal, boasts a net worth of $25 million. He currently plays for Liverpool in the Premier League, earning an annual salary of 5 million GBP. Before joining Liverpool, Mané had stints with Metz, Red Bull Salzburg, and Southampton, where he set a Premier League record for the fastest hat-trick. In addition to his club career, he has been a key player for Senegal, sharing the title of top scorer for his national team.
Early Life and Background
Born on April 10, 1992, in Bambali, Sédhiou, Senegal, Mané’s early life was marked by his father’s opposition to his football aspirations. His father, an imam, discouraged him from pursuing the sport. Nonetheless, at the age of 15, Mané left his village to move to Dakar, driven by his desire to pursue a professional football career.
Career Beginnings
Mané’s journey into professional football began in 2011 when he joined Génération Foot, a Senegalese football academy. Scouts then directed him to Metz, a French club, where he started his professional career in 2012. He made his debut in January of that year, replacing Kévin Diaz in a 2-1 home loss against Bastia. That season, Mané made 19 appearances and scored a single goal during a 5-2 loss to Guingamp.
In 2012, Mané moved to Red Bull Salzburg in Austria. His time at Salzburg saw success, including his first hat-trick in October of the same year, and another one the following year. Mané played a crucial role in Salzburg winning a domestic double during his final season, but he forced a move by refusing to attend training.
Southampton Breakthrough
Mané’s transfer to Southampton in 2014 marked a new chapter in his career. He signed a four-year contract and made his debut in a 2-1 victory over Arsenal in the League Cup. He also made his first Premier League appearance in a 2-1 win against Queens Park Rangers. His first goal for the club came in a 1-0 victory over Stoke City, and he followed that with three consecutive goals in matches against Crystal Palace, Chelsea, and Arsenal.
The highlight of his Southampton tenure came in May 2015 when he scored a record-breaking hat-trick in just under three minutes during a match against Aston Villa. Although the 2015-16 season was challenging for Mané, with a dip in form and a period out of the starting lineup, he finished strong by scoring 15 goals that season, making him Southampton’s top scorer.
Success at Liverpool
In 2016, Mané joined Liverpool on a five-year deal. His debut season was impressive, with 13 goals in the Premier League, earning him a place in the PFA Team of the Year. The following year, Mané made history by scoring his first hat-trick for Liverpool in a 5-0 win over Porto in the UEFA Champions League.
The 2018-19 season saw Mané reach new heights, as he became the top Senegalese scorer in a single Premier League season with 17 goals. That year, he helped Liverpool win the UEFA Champions League, defeating Tottenham in the final. In addition to his Champions League success, Mané played a pivotal role in securing the 2019 UEFA Super Cup, scoring twice in a victory over Chelsea.
Mané continued to perform at a high level, reaching several milestones. He made his 100th Premier League appearance for Liverpool, scored his 50th league goal, and finished fourth in the Ballon d’Or rankings in 2019. His contributions were key in helping Liverpool win the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup, and later, the Premier League title in 2020, ending the club’s 30-year league title drought.
However, the following season presented challenges, with Mané testing positive for COVID-19 and experiencing inconsistency in his form. He rebounded in the 2021-22 season, scoring both his 100th goal for Liverpool and his 100th Premier League goal. This achievement made him the third African player to reach such a milestone.
International Career
On the international stage, Mané has represented Senegal in multiple tournaments. He played for the national team in the 2012 Summer Olympics, where Senegal was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Mexico. Mané also featured in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where Senegal was eliminated in the group stage. In addition to his World Cup appearances, Mané has participated in several Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. In 2019, Senegal finished as runners-up, losing to Algeria, but in 2021, they claimed the title by defeating Egypt. In the final, Mané scored the decisive penalty to clinch the trophy and was named the tournament’s player of the year.
Personal Life and Philanthropy
Mané is a devout Muslim and resides in Allerton, Liverpool. His commitment to giving back to his community is evident through his charitable efforts. In 2019, he donated £250,000 to build a school in his hometown of Bambali. Two years later, he contributed £500,000 to help fund a hospital in the same village, improving access to education and healthcare for his fellow Senegalese.
