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Sadio Mane
Introduction
Sadio Mané, born on April 10, 1992, is a Senegalese professional footballer known for his exceptional skills as a forward and winger. He has achieved success at both the club and international levels.
Mané's journey in professional football began when he joined the Ligue 2 club Metz in France at the age of 19. After a season at Metz, he made a significant move to Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg in 2012 for a fee of €4 million. During his time there, he helped the team secure a league and cup domestic double during the 2013–14 season.
In 2014, Mané made a transition to the Premier League, signing with Southampton for a club record fee of £11.8 million. He quickly made an impact, setting a Premier League record for the fastest hat-trick, scoring in just 176 seconds in a match against Aston Villa in 2015.
In 2016, Mané made a high-profile transfer to Liverpool for a reported fee of £34 million, becoming the most expensive African player at the time. At Liverpool, he formed a formidable attacking trio alongside Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino. During his time with Liverpool, he helped the team reach back-to-back UEFA Champions League Finals in 2018 and 2019, winning the latter. Mané also won the Premier League Golden Boot in the 2018–19 season and played a crucial role in ending Liverpool's 30-year league title drought in the 2019–20 season.
Mané's outstanding performances led to him being recognized on the global stage. He finished fourth and second in the Ballon d'Or rankings in 2019 and 2022, respectively. In addition, he consistently ranked among the top players in The Best FIFA Men's Player awards.
On the international front, Mané has been a key figure for the Senegal national team since his debut in 2012. He has scored 37 goals in 97 appearances, making him Senegal's all-time top goalscorer and third in all-time appearances. He has represented Senegal in various tournaments, including the Olympics and the Africa Cup of Nations.
Mané's philanthropic efforts have been noteworthy. He has made substantial donations to build schools, combat COVID-19, and support his hometown in Senegal. He is also an ambassador for Right To Play, an organization focused on empowering vulnerable children.
In recognition of his achievements and contributions, Mané was appointed a Grand Officer of the National Order of the Lion by the President of Senegal after Senegal's victory in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
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