Senegalese star Sadio Mané, who clinched the African championship in 2022 and lifted the Champions League trophy with Liverpool in 2019, has made a notable move to Saudi club Al-Nassr after just one season with Bayern Munich, as announced by both clubs on Tuesday.
The transfer deal for Sadio Mané to Saudi Arabia is estimated at approximately thirty million euros, and the 31-year-old forward’s annual salary is rumored to be around €40m, along with bonuses of €10m contingent on Al-Nassr’s performance.
Jan-Christian Dreesen, Bayern’s chairman of the board, remarked on Mané’s decision to switch clubs, stating that his extended absence hindered his involvement with Bayern Munich, leading to the collective decision to explore a new chapter in his career.
Thomas Tuchel, Bayern Munich’s coach, shared his perspective on the transfer, expressing his understanding of Mané’s feelings and ensuring that their strong relationship would endure despite the change. Tuchel emphasized that it was not a personal matter and acknowledged his responsibility in optimizing the player’s potential.
At Al-Nassr, Sadio Mané will have the opportunity to play alongside five-time Portuguese Golden Ball winner Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined the team for a two-season stint in January. Ronaldo’s signing marked a significant addition to the Saudi club’s offensive lineup, which has been bolstered in recent months with the arrivals of other prominent players like Frenchman Karim Benzema and compatriot N’Golo Kanté.
Notably, other top footballers, including Senegalese Kalidou Koulibaly and Brazilian Roberto Firmino, have also opted to play in the Saudi championship, solidifying the league’s growing appeal to renowned talents.
Meanwhile, Lionel Messi, the Argentine World Cup champion and seven-time Ballon d’Or recipient, chose a different path and signed with North American MLS club Inter Miami.
“German Club Bayern Munich Backed German Player Leroy Sane”
‘Leroy Sane never said anything like that’ – these were the words of Bayern Munich, as the club denied that Sane racially insulted Sadio Mane before physical altercation.
Bayern Munich sports director Hasan Salihamidzic has denied that Leroy Sane made a racist statement before Sadio Mane allegedly punched him.
The pair are said to have ended up in a physical altercation after Manchester City beat them in the Champions League. It was reported that Mane punched Sane, and a Senegalese journalist claimed that the Germany international made a racist comment which sparked the former Liverpool star’s reaction. However, Salihamidzic has said that Sane made no such remarks.
“We know this allegation made by a journalist. We spoke to Leroy about it. He assured us very clearly that he had never said anything like that and we believe him,” Salihamidzic said on Sky.
“We spent two days speaking openly with everyone involved and worked through that. For us, the matter is settled.”
Mane was suspended for one match by the German club and handed a €500,000 fine for his involvement in the incident. Many critics argue that regardless of who was at fault, the club took sides with Sane, as their decision showed favouritism – which they claimed was because Sane is German.
The big question remains: Was Sadio Mané a Victim of Racism at German Club, Bayern Munich? What are your thoughts?