Pape Thiaw: "Sadio Mané is the best Senegalese player in history"

Pape Thiaw used the post-match press conference this Saturday, December 27 in Tangier to deliver a heartfelt tribute to Sadio Mané. The Senegal head coach made it clear that the Al-Nassr striker is the greatest player in the history of Senegalese football.

The national coach did not hesitate to state his conviction emphatically. In his eyes, no other Senegalese player can rival Mané’s record and impact on the national team. This declaration came after the 1-1 draw between the Lions of Teranga and DR Congo on the second matchday of CAN 2025, where the 33-year-old striker scored the equalizer.

"In my eyes, the best player in the history of Senegalese football is Sadio Mané. He has brought so much to this team. He’s an extraordinary player and a real blessing for us. He is always serving the collective, he’s a true example. We must salute him now, not wait until he retires. He is loved everywhere in the world and always shows desire and determination. As a coach, it’s a tremendous privilege to have Sadio Mané in my squad," said Pape Thiaw.

Sadio Mané holds a central place in the recent history of Senegalese football. For Pape Thiaw, the forward, who boasts 109 caps (52 goals, 9 assists), stands as a sporting and human benchmark within the team.

Lydiane N'Po |

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Sports journalist specializing in African football, covering football news, exclusive stories and digital content for passionate fans of the game.