Liverpool’s English full-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold, has just uttered some incredible words about his former teammate, Sadio Mané. In an interview with Overlap, presented by Sky Bet, the English prodigy had a lot of praise for the Senegalese forward.
While Sadio Mané is a well-known name in the football world, it’s primarily thanks to England where he experienced the peak of his career. Hailing from Senegal, he initially trained at Génération Foot before heading to France to play for FC Metz (2011-2012). He then continued his progress at RB Salzburg in Austria between 2012 and 2014 (87 matches, 45 goals).
After two strong seasons with the Austrian side, the Senegalese star caught the attention of Southampton in England, where he delivered highly impressive performances (2014-2016). It was during this time that he particularly troubled Liverpool and Trent Alexander-Arnold in the Premier League. Following one of his standout performances, Mané attracted the interest of Liverpool scouts. In 2016, things accelerated, and the Senegalese player joined Liverpool.
Quickly, he established himself as a key figure in the starting eleven, forming a formidable trio with Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino. In 269 appearances, the double African Ballon d’Or winner (2019 and 2022) scored 120 goals for Liverpool. Calm and respected by many, Sadio Mané left a significant mark on the English club, even though he eventually departed amid some tension.
Arnold’s Strong Words on Sadio Mané
Two years after his departure, the Senegalese forward still occupies the mind of the talented Trent Alexander-Arnold (25). Having been nurtured in Liverpool’s youth ranks throughout his junior career, the English full-back progressed to the senior team in the same year as Mané’s arrival. After six years of coexistence, the England international since 2018 (23 caps, 2 goals) had the opportunity to appreciate the Bambali native, whom he considers the toughest opponent he’s faced. In an interview on the Overlap podcast, presented by Sky Bet, the Liverpool native had a heartfelt tribute to his former teammate, who now plies his trade in Saudi Arabia, notably with Al Nassr. “Sadio Mané is the only player I’ve played with and always felt grateful that I never had to play against him. He was the perfect attacker, he had it all. As an athlete, he was similar to Cristiano Ronaldo – he was powerful, fast, could finish with both feet, and was a threat at any moment.”
A Fond Thought for the Player in the Late Stages of His Career
Today, far from Liverpool, the Senegalese star is no longer at the peak of his powers. After a painful spell at Bayern Munich, where he endured some of the worst moments of his career with clashes, controversies, and sanctions (in just one season), Sadio Mané sought refuge with Saudi side Al Nassr alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. Amidst excellent and mediocre performances, the 2021 African champion elicits mixed opinions in the kingdom. At 32, it’s clear that we’re witnessing the twilight of his career, as recently mentioned by a close associate of the player. Not firmly in Luis Castro’s plans, Mané could potentially move on if interesting offers arise. We might see the former Liverpool stalwart return to Europe, possibly in the Turkish Super Lig, where he could still contribute with his experience. However, a departure of Al Nassr’s current coach could also change the landscape, as someone like José Mourinho, heavily linked with the club, could arrive and breathe new life into the Senegalese player. It’s a story worth following…
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