Senegalese international Sadio Mané faced a challenging start to his pre-season campaign with Al-Nassr, marking his return to action with a mixed performance.
On Sunday, Al-Nassr kicked off their pre-season schedule with a match against Louletano, a team competing in Portugal’s fourth division.
This game was Mané’s first appearance after a short break, and while he showed glimpses of his quality, it was evident that he was still shaking off some rust.
During the match, Mané provided a crucial assist to Mohammed Marran, helping Al-Nassr level the score after the half-time interval.
However, the 32-year-old winger also experienced a significant setback when he missed a penalty.
With Cristiano Ronaldo, the designated penalty taker, still on vacation, the responsibility fell to Mané. Unfortunately, he failed to capitalize, sending his shot over the crossbar.
This missed opportunity left the Senegalese star in a moment of solitude, reflecting on what could have been. The match ended in a 1-1 draw.
Despite the early setback, Mané will have several opportunities to regain his form in Al-Nassr’s upcoming pre-season fixtures.
The team is currently on an Iberian tour and has scheduled matches against Maritimo on Friday and Farense, the club of Algerian Bachir Belloumi, on Saturday.
Following these, Al-Nassr will face Portimonense, Porto, and Lusitani on the 24th, 28th, and 30th of July, respectively.
Mané’s first season in the Gulf followed an underwhelming stint at Bayern Munich. During his debut season with Al-Nassr, the 2021 African champion showcased his talent by scoring 19 goals and providing 11 assists in 46 appearances.
His contributions were vital for the Saudi Arabian vice-champions, although the team fell short of clinching the title.
Recently, there have been speculations about Mané’s potential return to RB Salzburg, where he began his European career.
However, these rumors appear to be unfounded as Mané seems poised to continue his journey in the Middle East. His focus remains on helping Al-Nassr achieve success in the upcoming season.
Sadio Mané’s pre-season with Al-Nassr may have started on a challenging note, but the Senegalese star has ample time to find his rhythm and make a significant impact.
As the team prepares for a series of warm-up matches, Mané’s performance will be closely watched by fans and critics alike, hoping to see the prolific winger return to his best form.
Quand Sadio Mané rate un pénalty face à Louletano, pensionnaire de la 4ème division portugaise.
Tugão 🇵🇹pic.twitter.com/QwKYaTz41o
— Amaury Gonçalves (@AmauryGnclvs) July 14, 2024
