Captain of the Teranga Lions of Senegal, Sadio Mane, has opened up about his difficult journey to becoming a world football star.
Speaking to World Soccer Talk, the former Liverpool sensation disclosed that there were days he didn’t have anything to eat and sometimes played barefoot.
“I went hungry, survived hard times, played barefoot and didn’t go to school. I don’t know what fun is, I’ve never gone to a party because I know that if I don’t give everything, I’ll never perform well on the pitch and I’ll never achieve my goals,” Sadio Mane said.
Still appreciative of those tough times, Sadio Mane is now focused on helping others. This is why he is engaged in a lot of charity in Senegal and his village.
“Today, with what I earn, I can help others. I built schools, a stadium, we gave clothes, shoes and food to people in extreme poverty. And then I donate 70 euros a month to all the inhabitants of a very poor area of Senegal, to contribute to the family economy.
“Why would I want ten Ferraris, twenty diamond watches and two airplanes? What good are these things for the good of the world? I can’t even stand the Playstation, my classmates’ main hobby. I’ve never used it, I think it’s just a way to waste time and I don’t want to waste mine unnecessarily,” Sadio Mane explained.
Mane currently plays for Al Nassr in the Saudi Professional League. He continues to give back to society and remains one of Africa’s global football stars who inspires many young footballers on and off the pitch.
