Sadio Mane
Sadio Mane, who joined Liverpool in 2016, formed a formidable attacking trio with Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino. Together, they secured numerous titles, including the Champions League and Premier League. However, Mane’s departure to Bayern Munich in 2022 marked the end of an era for the Reds. During a recent podcast appearance, Mane addressed the speculated rivalry with Salah, shedding light on their professional relationship.
Sadio Mane said: “Good player. Great player. Everybody say the same (that there was a rivalry), you know, usually. But it’s not… I don’t think it’s a bad thing. And me, I’m someone who is quiet, but I’m friendly with everybody in the team. I’m like this. So, I think Mo is also a very nice guy. He’s a nice guy. I think though, inside the pitch, you can see – sometimes he passes me, sometimes he doesn’t pass me; sometimes he passes me, sometimes he doesn’t pass me. But, you know, only Bobby was there to share the ball. Sometimes like this…”
Mane recounted a specific incident during a match against Burnley, where Salah opted to shoot rather than pass to an unmarked Mane. This moment fueled rumors of tension between the two. Mane expressed his initial frustration but clarified that it was a natural reaction in the heat of the game.
Mane continued: “And I still remember one game when I was really, really angry because he didn’t pass me, he should pass me. And the next day he came to me. He wants to talk to me, but he doesn’t know when, how to say. He still thinks I’m angry against him because we didn’t see each other, we go home. And the next day he came to me. He said, ‘Can we talk?’ I said, ‘OK, no problem, we go.’ And he said, ‘You think I didn’t want to pass you? I didn’t score. Bobby scored. But even when I got the ball, I was not thinking or even seeing you to pass. I just got the ball. I want to shoot. But I have nothing against you.'”
Mane also shared his admiration for Firmino, highlighting the Brazilian’s selfless nature and unique qualities as a player and person.
Mane said: “Oh, exceptional. Exceptional. If I said exceptional, it’s just exceptional. Because for me, since I grew up, I never see a football player and human kind in my life as Bobby. Never. I never see any teammate like Bobby in my life. And he’s the only player in my life I have put in my house. And Bobby Firmino, for me, it’s not even… because what he’s able to do, I can’t, even myself. And I never see any player doing it, because it’s special.”
Mane’s reflections provide a deeper understanding of the dynamics within Liverpool’s famed attacking trio. His comments underscore the complexities of professional relationships in football, where competitive instincts can sometimes be misconstrued as personal rivalries. Despite leaving Liverpool, Mane’s respect for his former teammates remains evident, particularly for Firmino, whom he regards as more than just a football player.
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