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Sadio Mane’s iconic moments for Liverpool and Senegal

Sadio Mane, Liverpool trophy parade

Sadio Mane has brought the curtain down on his Liverpool career after completing his move to Bayern Munich for £35.2million. Planet Sport looks back at his best moments for club and country.

Jurgen Klopp took a big risk when he splashed out £37million to bring Sadio Mane to Anfield back in 2016. While the Senegal international had impressed during his time at Southampton, questions were raised over whether he was good enough to start for the Reds.

Mane quickly silenced his doubters, becoming a fan favourite on Merseyside due to his attacking flair and ruthless finishing. A Premier League and Champions League winner, the forward will go down in Anfield history alongside his partners in Liverpool’s world-class attacking set-up.

Planet Sport is here to remind you just how ridiculously good Mane has been since his arrival in English football.

Sadio Mane’s first Liverpool goal

Mane joined Liverpool in the summer of 2016 after an impressive spell at Southampton, becoming the most expensive African player in history at the time. Many players struggle to find their feet after a big money move, but this certainly wasn’t the case for the Senegal international.
Mane went on to get 13 goals and six assists in his first season on Merseyside, becoming a key part of Klopp’s plans. 
Sadio Mane, goal, Arsenal, 2016
Mane was on target in a thrilling 4-3 win at Arsenal on his debut, finding the top corner with a pinpoint strike after a superb run down the right wing. It was a special moment for the forward and a sign of things to come in the following years.

Golden Boot winner

On the final day of the 2018/19 campaign, Mane bagged a brace in a 2-0 win over Wolves which saw him reach 22 Premier League goals for the season. 
The forward’s prolific form earned him the Golden Boot award, which he shared with Liverpool teammate Mo Salah and Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Clearly one winner wasn’t enough for the Reds.

Mane was also one of six players nominated for the Player’s Player of the Year award, and was named in the PFA Team of the Year along with teammates Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson. 

Winning the Champions League

In May 2018, Mane was on the scoresheet as Liverpool suffered a heartbreaking 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League final. Twelve months later, Klopp’s men made amends with a memorable 2-0 win over Tottenham in an all-English final. 
It was the sixth time Liverpool have won the famous trophy – only Real Madrid (13) and AC Milan (7) have won it on more occasions. Klopp’s men went on to win the UEFA Super Cup after beating Europa League winners Chelsea on penalties, with Mane bagging a brace.
Sadio Mane, Liverpool FC, Champions League final, trophy
Mane won a penalty which Salah tucked away after just two minutes to get the Reds off to a flying start. He was a consistent performer throughout the competition, getting four goals and three assists including a double against Bayern Munich in the round of 16. 

Ballon d’Or nomination

After a remarkable season for the Reds, Mane finished fourth in the vote for the prestigious 2019 Ballon d’Or award. Barcelona and Argentina legend Lionel Messi even voted for the Senegal international.
Messi told Canal Plus: “It’s a shame to see Mane finish in fourth place, but I think there have been a lot of great players this year. That’s why it was difficult to choose a particular player. 
“But I chose Sadio Mane because he’s a player that I like. Mane achieved a great year that was exceptional for the entire Liverpool team.”
Such high praise from one of the greatest players of all time speaks volumes for how highly Mane is regarded in the footballing world.

African Footballer of the Year

After finishing as runner-up two years in a row, Mane was finally named African Footballer of the Year in 2019. He became only the second Senegalese player to win the award after former Liverpool and Leeds forward El-Hadji Diouf.

“I’m really happy and really proud at the same time,” said Mane at the award ceremony in Egypt. “I would like to thank my family, especially my uncle who is here today. 
Mane’s journey is incredible and there is no doubt he will go down as one of the best African players in history.
Sadio Mane, goal, Anfield, Liverpool FC
“It is a big day for me and I would love to thank all the Senegalese people who have been voting for me. I’m from a small village called Bambali and I’m sure they are all watching me tonight.”

Winning the Premier League

Bit of a quiet season for Mane 2019/20...
He scored twice to help Liverpool win the 2019 Super Cup against Chelsea, scored his 50th league goal for the Anfield club in October, finished fourth in the Ballon d'Or, set up the winning goal in the FIFA Club World Cup and won African Footballer of the Year.

But most importantly his 18 goals and nine assists helped bring the Premier League title to Anfield....like I said erm...quiet.

Africa Cup of Nations winner

It was Sadio Mane vs Mohamed Salah as the two Liverpool hotshots went head-to-head in the 2021 AFCON final.

After missing from the spot earlier in the match, Mane stepped up to take the decisive spot-kick in the penalty shootout and win Senegal their first AFCON title.

The victory over Egypt marked Senegal's first ever major trophy, and their peformance warranted the win after they dominated much of the game.

His three goals and had two assists during the competition saw him named as player of the tournament.

100 Premier League goals

Mane became only the third African, after Didier Drogba and Mohamed Salah, to join the Premier League 100 club after scoring the opening goal in Liverpool's 5-0 win away over Watford in October 2021.

None of those goals came from the penalty spot.

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