Liverpool star Sadio Mane has opened up on his remarkable journey into a career in football
Liverpool ace Sadio Mane is a Champions League winner and one of the top attackers in world football.
But it has certainly not been a straightforward journey to the top.
Mane is currently in Egypt looking to lead Senegal to their first ever African Cup of Nations triumph.
He has now opened up on his remarkable journey as a teenager as he lied to his parents and attempted to flea his village to head to Dakar in order to pursue his footballing dreams.
He was forbidden to drop out of his studies by his parents but eventually progressed through the Senegalese football academy and entered senior football with French club Metz.
Now, he is leading Senegal and will captain them in Thursday’s crucial group game with Algeria after missing their 2-0 win over Tanzania on Monday through suspension.
Sadio Mane has opened up on his remarkable attempts to escape home
Speaking about the extreme measures he took as a 16-year-old, Mane told France Football : “I prepared everything down to the minute, knowing that I did not have any money at all.
“At sunset, I hid in the tall grass, in front of my house, my sports bag with my things so that I wasn’t surprised when leaving.
“And early the following morning, at around 06:00, I brushed my teeth and didn’t even take a shower.
Mane is looking to lead Senegal to their first African Cup of Nations triumph
“I left without telling anyone, apart from my best friend. I walked for a long time to meet up with a friend who loaned me some money so that I could take the bus to Dakar.
“There, I was welcomed by a family who I did not know. I immediately took part in training sessions at recognised teams. But my parents were looking for me everywhere.
Mane enjoyed a stunning Premier League campaign for Liverpool
“They were convinced that my best friend knew where I was. He held on, he did not say anything. But my family and his, they put terrible pressure on him, and he eventually gave me up.
“My parents then called me to demand that I return home. I did not want to because I was ashamed to come back but I ended up agreeing on the condition that they would let me try my luck (at football) once the school year was over.”
Mane also revealed how he was forced to prove doubters wrong at his first trial and let his football do the talking.
Mane’s remarkable journey led to him lifting the Champions League trophy
He commented: “There were 200 or 300 youngsters who were waiting in line for their chance, it started badly for me because when I presented myself, I was laughed at.
“I did not look like a footballer. I was wearing pants that looked nothing like football shorts. And my football boots were completely shredded on the sides and had been repaired by me with wire the best I could.
“Those who oversaw the trials would look at me with a bizarre facial expression: “You really want to become a footballer?” I understood them but I did not have a choice…
“As I was not that bad, they took me. That was the beginning of my adventure.”
