The world received an important lesson in humility from Sadio Mane, the Senegalese star for Liverpool, when fans noticed him preparing for a Premier League match with a cracked iPhone.
Sadio Mane, one of Liverpool’s star players, has been instrumental in Jurgen Klopp’s team leading the Premier League and potentially ending their 30-year title drought.
Earning over $10.2 million a year, Mane is regarded as one of the best footballers in the world. However, a recent photo of Mane with a cracked iPhone 11 left many of his fans puzzled and even heartbroken. While some joked that he could easily afford a new phone or a screen protector, others were curious about why he hadn’t replaced it.
The reason behind Mane using the damaged phone has now surfaced, and his humble response has gone viral, showcasing the Senegalese forward’s modesty and down-to-earth nature to his fans.
“Why would I need two private jets, ten Ferraris, or twenty diamond watches? How would that make any difference in the world?” Sadio Mane reflected on his humble beginnings, recalling how he didn’t attend school, worked in the fields, played football barefoot, and went hungry.
Now in a position to help others, Mane explained that instead of spending on luxury items, he’d rather build schools and provide food and clothing to the less fortunate. He’s built stadiums for schools and provided essentials like food, clothing, and shoes to those living in extreme poverty.
Additionally, Mane contributes to the family economies of individuals in a poverty-stricken region of Senegal by giving them 70 euros a month. “I don’t need to flaunt fancy cars, mansions, vacations, or jets,” Mane said, adding, “I would rather see my people benefit from a small part of what life has given me.”
In the same interview, Mane revealed that his close friend and Dutch footballer Gini Wijnaldum gifted him the iPhone 11. Despite being able to easily buy a new one, Mane chose to keep the phone as a tribute to their friendship.
After winning the premier football trophy in Africa, Mane’s celebration was short-lived on Wednesday when his jet was grounded in Tunisia due to issues with overflight permission.