Sadio Mane will miss Senegal’s international friendly against England on Tuesday after withdrawing from the camp. The 33-year-old is the African nation’s all-time leading goalscorer and most visible player, but he will not take the field at the City Ground.
Mane solidified his reputation as one of Europe’s top wingers throughout his spectacular six-year stay with Liverpool from 2016 to 2022. Liverpool paid Southampton £34 million for his talents, which raised eyebrows, but the amount eventually proved to be a bargain for the Merseyside club.
Mane, along with Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, formed a now-legendary attacking trio that helped Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool win numerous major trophies, including the Premier League, FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, and FIFA Club World Cup. In 269 games, Mane scored 120 goals, 90 of which came in the Premier League, exceeding all expectations. He is unquestionably one of Klopp’s and Liverpool’s best-ever signings.
Mane signed with German heavyweights Bayern Munich in July 2022, saying it was time for a fresh challenge. However, one year later, despite scoring 12 goals in 38 games for Bayern and winning the Bundesliga, the winger was moved to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr.
Weeks before leaving Bayern Munich, it was widely believed that Mane assaulted teammate Leroy Sane after a dressing room altercation. It appears that this shocking incident deprived him the opportunity to stay longer at the Allianz Arena.
Mane’s football career appears to be in risk, two years after signing with Al-Nassr. According to the Liverpool Echo, he has been notified by his current employers that he is free to look for a new club this summer, and he has also been removed from Senegal’s team for the game against the Republic of Ireland (which Senegal drew 1-1 on Friday) and the impending showpiece friendly against England.
Indeed, fans noticed his absence when the team news was released just before kickoff, but an explanation has been provided.
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