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Sadio Mane names the former Liverpool teammate who he’s still really good friends with
Sadio Mane enjoyed a fantastic time at Liverpool since joining the club from Southampton in the summer of 2016.
Signed as an exciting winger with bags of potential, the Senegal international became one of the most feared attackers in world football under Jurgen Klopp as he won six major honours at Anfield.
Mane left the club in the summer of 2022 to join Bayern Munich, where he spent just one season before ditching Europe altogether for a move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr.
Several former Liverpool stars currently ply their trades in Saudi, with Fabinho, Roberto Firmino and Gini Wijnaldum deciding to spend the twilight years of their careers in the Middle East.
And Mane spoke highly about Wijnaldum, who he still shares a special bond with after the glorious time they spent together at Liverpool.
Sadio Mane praises former Liverpool teammate Gini Wijnaldum
Wijnaldum currently captains Al-Ettifaq, a club managed by former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.
Mane has opened up on his special relationship with the Dutchman which began in 2016 when the pair joined Liverpool in the same summer from Southampton and Newcastle United, respectively.
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“Gini is one of my very good friends. And (with) Gini, it’s more than football, because our relationship came naturally,” said Mane via .
“Because, when I was in Liverpool, we came at the same time, and he is this kind of person that once he is in the team he becomes friends with everybody. Everybody likes him.
“He is special, and this is the reason when I was there we’ve been good friends – and he was always in my house. Sometimes he would call me to come to my house, and I’m like ‘No, not yet. Get out of here!’
“He always wants to make fun, and I like this about him. He has a good heart; I can speak about him until tomorrow non-stop. He is amazing and we’re still keeping in contact. And that’s really important.”
Mane and Wijnaldum helped shape a new era under Klopp
While Mane ripped it up in attack alongside Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, Wijnaldum predominantly played in a deeper midfield role where he put in the hard yards and worked tirelessly for the team.
Both players won every major trophy at Liverpool and are firmly regarded as club legends for their exploits under Klopp.
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Wijnaldum left Liverpool in the summer of 2021 to join Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer, after which he joined Al-Ettifaq permanently in 2023 following a loan spell at AS Roma.
Mane left the Reds a year after the Dutchman, but both players landed up in Saudi at the same time and are playing out the twilight years of their careers away from the grandest stage.