He’s paid for a hospital and a school to be built in his home village.
Mane with Senegal president Macky Sall
Sadio Mané, hailed as one of the premier footballers globally for his electrifying speed and clinical scoring ability, has garnered immense adoration from fans and adorned trophy cabinets with his exploits on the field. However, his philanthropic endeavors have also earned widespread praise.
Having left Liverpool in the summer of 2022 as a revered figure on Merseyside, Mané now showcases his talents at Bayern Munich, one of Germany’s football powerhouses. On the pitch, he has propelled Senegal to glory, notably clinching victory with a decisive penalty in the final of the 2022 African Cup of Nations. Off the field, he has been diligently constructing a lasting legacy, channeling his resources to uplift his community.
Last summer, he was spotted playing football with friends on a rustic pitch in Bambali, his hometown where his football journey commenced. It was here that Mané laid the foundation for his career, bravely pursuing his dreams at the tender age of 15. As his stardom has ascended, so too has his commitment to giving back.
This encapsulates the profound impact of Sadio Mané’s charitable efforts.
Donated £500,000 for a hospital to be built in his home village of Bambali
Mané’s father died when he was a child, and the lack of health services in his home region has become a big cause in the footballer’s life.
“I remember my sister was also born at home because there is no hospital in our village. It was a really, really sad situation for everyone. I wanted to build one to give people hope,” told the Guardian in 2020.
The hospital, which includes a maternity care department, was inaugurated by the footballer in June 2021.
Donated £41,000 to the Senegal government when the pandemic hit
Amidst the onset of the pandemic in March 2020, Sadio Mané once again exhibited his philanthropic spirit by donating £41,000 to the national committee combating Covid in Senegal.
His agent said he had done it “spontaneously when he saw the evolution of the situation”.
Donated £250,000 for a new secondary school
In the spring of 2019, as Liverpool were in the final stages of their successful Champions League campaign, Mané made a £250,000 donation to fund a school in Bambali.
At a ceremony, Mané’s uncle read a speech from the player, which said: “Education is very important. This is what will enable you to have a good career.”
Donated laptops to students in his hometown
In addition to funding the construction of a school, Mané has facilitated educational opportunities for students in his village. Photographs captured pupils equipped with laptops, courtesy of the footballer, alongside a reported $400 (£320) grant awarded to outstanding students.
Gifted 300 Liverpool shirts to people in his home village
If there happen to be any Everton supporters in Bambali, they might be pondering if they made the wrong choice. Mané generously donated 300 Liverpool shirts to his village residents so they could sport them during the 2018 Champions League final. While Liverpool faced defeat against Real Madrid, those adorned with the shirts had reason to rejoice the subsequent year when Liverpool triumphantly lifted the trophy.
Sadio Mané was recognised with the first ever Socrates Award for his charity work
In October, Mané was honored with the inaugural Socrates Award, named after the Brazilian footballer Socrates, known for his activism against the country’s military regime in the 1980s. This accolade, instituted to acknowledge footballers engaged in humanitarian endeavors, served as recognition for Mané’s impactful off-field contributions.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Mané said of his charity work: “Sometimes I’m a bit shy talking about it, but I’m really happy to do what I can for our people and to make, maybe, things better.”