The Reds’ forward was named African Player of the Year last month and he says it is the support of friends and family back home that keeps him pushing. Sadio Mane has revealed the driving force behind his rise to the top after cementing himself as an integral part of an increasingly dominant Liverpool side.
In 36 Premier League outings last year, Mane scored 24 goals and provided six assists, with Jurgen Klopp’s side now 22 points clear at the summit after finishing runners-up in the 2018-19 campaign.
"If you see those people, you push hard and harder to make them proud because it's the only satisfaction they have on it. I have to give back what they have done for me."
Sadio Mane on the support back in his hometown village of Bambali 🙌
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 12, 2020
Sadio Mane, who moved to Anfield from Southampton in 2016, cited the support of his friends and family back home in the village of Bambali as key to his sparkling form.
“I can’t describe how they are and how motivated they are especially. They always push me,”
Sadio Mane, who started his career in France with Metz, told Liverpool’s official website:
“If you see those people, you push hard and harder to make them proud because it’s the only satisfaction they have on it. I have to give back what they have done for me.
“I think it was something special for the village because in the village we had some great players but they were never successful.
“When I came to France and that time I was playing second league, the village never had the channel to watch the second league, so everybody was so excited to see me on TV first of all!
“They were praying for me every day to see me at this level because they will be just proud. How things are going and as I get more motivated and [they get] more excited to see me higher and higher, I think I have to sacrifice myself to make them proud.”
The Senegalese forward won the 2019 CAF African Player of the Year award last month, having helped the Reds to Champions League success in June.
After edging out team-mate Mohamed Salah and Manchester City man Riyad Mahrez to the prize,
Sadio Mane said:
“I would say the dream came true. When I was young I was always dreaming to be the best and this year I got it, so I’m really happy.
“I’m looking forward to performing well again for my team, especially since I’m playing for Liverpool – which is a very, very, very big club in the world – winning trophies with the team can give you opportunities to win some [awards] like this.
“You have to perform well to get this [award]. I don’t know if I’m doing well but I’m trying to do my best for the team and for the club!”
