Mane with Senegal president Macky Sall. Image: Présidence Sénégal/Twitter
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Sadio Mané is one of the world’s best footballers, his electric pace and lethal finishing inspiring devotion from fans and filling trophy cabinets, but his charity work has also been winning plaudits.
Mané left Liverpool in the summer of 2022 as a Merseyside icon, and is now plying his trade at German giants Bayern Munich.
On the pitch, he has led Senegal to glory, scoring the winning penalty in the final of the 2022 African Cup of Nations. Off the pitch, he’s been busy establishing a lasting legacy, passing on his wealth to help his community.
Last summer he was spotted playing football with friends on a muddy pitch in Bambali, his home village. It was from here Mané forged a football career, running away at the age of 15 to follow his dream. As his star has risen, he’s been giving back.
This is what Sadio Mané has done for charity.
Donated £500,000 for a hospital to be built in his home village of Bambali
Mané’s father died when he was a child, and the lack of health services in his home region has become a big cause in the footballer’s life.
“I remember my sister was also born at home because there is no hospital in our village. It was a really, really sad situation for everyone. I wanted to build one to give people hope,” told the Guardian in 2020.
Le footballeur Sadio Mané a été reçu cet après-midi par le Président @Macky_Sall. L’attaquant de Liverpool a présenté au Chef de l’Etat un ambitieux projet de construction d’un hôpital à Bambali et compte sur l'accompagnement de l'Etat pour le personnel médical. pic.twitter.com/aPBwtY8Iz7
Donated £41,000 to the Senegal government when the pandemic hit
At the start of the pandemic in March 2020, another one of Sadio Mané’s charity donations took place – he gave £41,000 to the national committee fighting Covid in Senegal.
His agent said he had done it “spontaneously when he saw the evolution of the situation”.
“Disinfect your hands as much as possible, clean your hands for at least 30 seconds”
In the spring of 2019, as Liverpool were in the final stages of their successful Champions League campaign, Mané made a £250,000 donation to fund a school in Bambali.
At a ceremony, Mané’s uncle read a speech from the player, which said: “Education is very important. This is what will enable you to have a good career.”
Donated laptops to students in his hometown
Not only has Mané given the money to build a school, he has helped students in his village participate in education.
Pupils were pictured with laptops donated by the footballer, along with a reported $400 (£320) donation to the best students.
Mane gave laptops and $400 each to the best performing students of Bambali High School.
Gifted 300 Liverpool shirts to people in his home village
If there are any Everton fans in Bambali, they’re probably wondering if they picked the wrong side.
Mané donated 300 Liverpool shirts so people in his village could wear them during the 2018 Champions League final.
Liverpool lost to Real Madrid, but those with the shirts had cause to celebrate the following year, when Liverpool lifted the trophy.
Sadio Mané was recognised with the first ever Socrates Award for his charity work
In October, Mané received the inaugural Socrates Award, named after Brazilian footballer Socrates, who agitated against the country’s military dictatorship in the 1980s. The award, introduced to recognise footballers taking on humanitarian work, was recognition for his off-pitch endeavours.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Mané said of his charity work: “Sometimes I’m a bit shy talking about it, but I’m really happy to do what I can for our people and to make, maybe, things better.”
Coming during the Ballon d’Or ceremony, it was a good night for Mané, who also finished second overall in the award for the best men’s player in the world.
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