Sadio Mané absent from the national team: the real reason revealed!

After several days of rumors and silence, the truth behind the absence of Sadio Mané, captain of the Senegal national team, during the June 2025 international break has finally come to light. Senegal was set to face Ireland on June 6 and then England on June 10, but Mané was not included in the squad list.

At first, with no official explanation, speculation ran rampant: some suggested a falling out with the coaching staff, others pointed to fatigue or a hidden injury.

The mystery solved: a religious choice at the heart of Mané's absence

This Tuesday, the answer became clear when Mané was spotted in Mina, Saudi Arabia, where he is performing the pilgrimage—one of the five fundamental pillars of Islam. His appearance confirms that his absence is not due to a sporting decision or a personal dispute, but rather a religious commitment.

Bab Thiou, Senegal's coach, addressed the situation in a press conference, stating: "It is a personal decision that I fully respect. What matters is the team."

This concise yet clear response raised many questions, especially as Mané had never missed a call-up since his debut for the national team over thirteen years ago. Moreover, he played his last match for Al Nassr against Al Fateh without any sign of injury or fatigue.

Amid the various theories circulating, Mané's decision now stands as a personal and respectable choice, tied to the fulfillment of a major religious duty. This exceptional reason fully explains his absence from the Lions of Senegal squad.

Read also: FIFA Day: Who will replace Sadio Mané against Ireland and England?

Mohamed Rek |

Editorfr, ar, en

Mohamed Rek- sports content writer with over 10 years of experience creating football content in Arabic and French for platforms such as Foot Africa and Starafrica, combining accuracy, creativity, and audience engagement.