Senegal international Sadio Mané has completed a move to Saudi Arabian team Al-Nassr after one season at Bayern Munich.
He is the latest in a wave of superstar signings which the big clubs of the Saudi Pro League have made. At the Riyadh-based club, he will link up with Marcelo Brozovic, former French Ligue 1 star Seko Fofana and former Manchester United fullback Alex Telles.
They all join Cristiano Ronaldo who, in December 2022, left European football – for good, per his most recent comments – for the Middle Eastern football league.
Mané cost Al-Nassr £34 million (including variables) and has already been announced by the club on their social media.
The 2022 Africa Cup of Nations winner features in a video with a chant by the club’s fans which carries his name.
The fans can be heard chanting, “Sadio. MANE. Running down the wing. MANE. Hear Nassrawis sing. MANE. We’re all bouncing in Riyadh!”
Mané is seen dancing to the tune before saying, “Can’t wait to hear from you in the stadium. See you, Riyadh.”
The Teranga Lion will keep his iconic number 10 which he wears for his national team and which he became synonymous with at Liverpool before wearing the number 17 for one season with the German Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.
The 31-year-old had a good run in European football which stunted at the Allianz Arena thanks to a number of factors.
His best run was with Liverpool, where he became one of the world’s best left wingers while playing alongside Roberto Firmino (now at Al-Ahli) and Mohamed Salah.
The former Red Bull Salzburg man is now gearing up to further his career in the Saudi Pro League where he will earn significantly more than he did while playing in Europe for the duration of the time he spends at Al-Nassr (£650,000 a week; £34 million a year).
Mané opened up on his exit from Bayern, where he was supposed to play until 2025 at least.
“Leaving FC Bayern hurts me,” he told Sky Sports. “I would have wished for a different ending. I know that I could have helped the team this season. I wanted to prove it to everyone this season. Nevertheless, I only wish the club and the fans the best for the future.”
Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel also opened up on the winger’s exit. “We had a big hug,” the former Chelsea manager said. “We agreed that we don’t like what’s happening now but that it’s the best in this situation.
“I totally understand that he feels hurt. I also don’t feel happy. We didn’t bring it to the full potential which is my responsibility.”
