Sadio Mane might be an English, European and World champion with Liverpool, but he has labelled winning the Africa Cup of Nations as the highlight of his career.
The forward scored the winning penalty for Senegal to beat Mohamed Salah ’s Egypt in a shootout in Sunday’s final after a 0-0 draw, as the Teranga Lions were crowned champions of Africa for the first time ever.
And having lost to Algeria in the final back in 2019, Mane was delighted to help fire his homeland to a famous victory.
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"It's the best day of my life and the best trophy of my life," the 29-year-old said.
"I won the Champions League and some (other) trophies but this is the special one for me. This is more important for me.
"I am happy for myself, my people and all of my family."
Mane could have been the match-winner in normal-time, having seen an early penalty saved by goalkeeper Gabaski after the shot-stopper was caught in a brief exchange with Salah prior to the kick being taken.
Yet there was to be no repeat in the shoot-out as the forward’s emphatic effort into the corner sealed victory for Senegal.
And the Liverpool man has revealed what his team-mates said to him after his first effort was saved, hailing them for giving him the confidence to step up to the spot again.
"When I missed the first penalty, it was a big blow for me," he said.
"But my team-mates came to me and said 'Sadio, we lose together and we win together. We know you. You have done too much for us - keep on going'.
"That made me stronger and I think it made the difference when I got the second one.
"All the boys came to me and said 'Sadio, we trust you' and that gave me more motivation. The trophy belongs to the whole Senegal team - everyone deserves it."
