Sadio Mané was once considered a “world star with a difference” – humble, helpful, someone who lends a hand. In his homeland, the small village of Bambali on the Casamance – Senegal’s largest river – he financed schools, mosques, gas stations and hospitals.
{
“placeholderType”: “MREC”
}
When he moved to FC Bayern in 2022, a portrait on the official Bundesliga website read that Mané was called “The King” in Bambali. He himself once said: “When I play, it’s a holiday in Senegal.”
It was said at the time that the man with the broad smile always puts his ego and pride aside – but it seems as if the tide has turned. There is hardly anything left of the former star man Sadio Mané; a fatal change has taken place.
Würge-Eklat um Mané
It was only on Monday that Mané caused a stir with a stranglehold. During Al-Nassr FC’s elimination against Al-Ain in the AFC Champions League (final score: 4:4 after penalties, first leg 0:1), he completely lost his nerve and physically attacked an opponent.
{
“placeholderType”: “MREC”
}
In the final phase, the ex-Bayern professional got into a verbal battle with Saeed Juma (Al-Ain), who had recently been substituted. The Senegalese then approached his opponent and grabbed his neck with his right hand.
Referee Ahmed Al-Kaf only showed Mané a yellow card, to the displeasure of Al-Ain coach Hernan Crespo, who assessed the action as violence and called for him to be sent off.
Sadio Mané grabs opponent Saeed Juma’s neck with a stranglehold
The English Sun described the action as “very stupid” – Mané could count himself lucky that he didn’t see the red card. In addition, a pack formed after the final whistle. The portal 11 Freunde wrote about a “circus event”.
It was far from the first time that Mané had caused trouble. At this year’s Africa Cup of Nations, he lost with Senegal in the round of 16 against hosts Ivory Coast 4-5 on penalties. The elimination was overshadowed by a brutal kick from the 31-year-old.
{
“placeholderType”: “MREC”
}
After just ten minutes he had roughly mowed down Ibrahim Sangaré with his leg outstretched. Mané’s victim had to be treated and left the pitch with an ice pack on his leg, but was able to continue playing.
Once again the Senegalese got away with a yellow card, the VAR did not intervene – to the astonishment of many users on X. “Chebli Ishaq”, for example, wrote: “Red and six months in prison. Mané was lucky.”
Punch in the face of Bayern colleague Sané
Mané has also caused trouble off the pitch in the past. During his time at FC Bayern, he punched his teammate Leroy Sané in the face in the locker room. The German international was hit in the lip, which was swollen.
The trigger was a scene in the final phase of the Champions League game against Manchester City: After a misunderstanding in the 83rd minute (Mané started for a through ball, Sané supposedly wanted to play him briefly), there was a war of words on the pitch – in Things were really going well in the cabin.
Mané was then suspended by the record champions, and the following summer they parted ways again after just one season.
Sadio Mané is severely punished after his misconduct | 2 after 10
The Senegalese is said to have had a difficult relationship with his teammates when he was stationed in Liverpool. Roberto Firminho wrote of a “poisonous relationship” with Egyptian Mohamed Salah in his book “Si Senor: My Liverpool Years”.
The Brazilian reported that he himself repeatedly found himself in the line of fire and described himself as a “firefighter”, as the mediator of disputes between the two Africa Cup rivals.
Mané in Ronaldo’s team in crisis
In August 2023, Mané finally hired in Saudi Arabia; his current employer Al-Nassr paid 30 million euros for the left winger.
Mané was initially quite convincing alongside superstar Cristiano Ronaldo: he scored six goals in the first six competitive games for his new club. However, so far in the current calendar year there has only been one goal and he has not managed to match the performances from the start of the season.
In the last league game against Al-Raed (final score 1:3), the 31-year-old only had one shot on goal, and criticism from the local media followed. The relationship with coach Luis Castro is also considered tense – at least since returning from the Africa Cup.
Chapter in Saudi Arabia threatens to come to an early end
According to afriquesports, the desert club is seriously considering selling Mané in the summer. He is no longer untouchable, Galatasaray Istanbul is considered to be definitely interested.
The choking scandal could have been the last straw. Mané had been particularly combative in the run-up to the game against Al-Ain: “I’m not satisfied with my current level, but on Monday it’s a matter of life and death – we will win for you,” he promised the fans martially.
The fact that not only did sporting success fail to materialize, but Mané once again went overboard with his behavior, could have serious consequences.
2024-03-15 16:52:09
#Der #fatale #Wandel #Sadio #Mané
