Sadio Mane Says AFCON Success Means More Than Winning Champions League With Liverpool

AFCON hero Sadio Mane has claimed that winning the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal meant more to him than winning the Champions League with Liverpool.

Sadio Mane hailed winning the Africa Cup of Nations as the biggest achievement of his soccer career after Senegal beat Egypt in Sunday's final.

The 29-year-old scored the deciding spot-kick in a penalty shootout after the final had ended 0-0 inside 120 minutes.

Mane had earlier failed to score from the penalty spot inside normal time, but all was forgiven as his country celebrated their first ever AFCON title.

While it was Mane's first ever international trophy, he had already won an impressive array of club gongs.

Mane was a UEFA Champions League winner with Liverpool in 2019.

He won the Premier League in 2020 and also has the UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, Austrian Bundesliga and Austrian Cup on his list of honours.

But none of those achievements meant as much as making history with his beloved Senegal.

Sadio Mane kisses his medal after winning AFCON 2021 with Senegal :: IMAGO/Sebastian Frej

"It's the best day of my life and the best trophy of my life," Mane said after the final, as quoted by BBC Sport.

"I won the Champions League and some trophies but this is the special one for me. This is more important for me.

"I am happy for myself, my people and all of my family." 

Mane was then quick pay credit to his teammates, praising them for lifting his spirits following his penalty gaffe early in the final.

He added: "When I missed the first penalty, it was a big blow for me.

"But my teammates came to me and said: 'Sadio, we lose together and we win together. We know you. You have done too much for us. Keep on going'.

"That made me stronger and I think it made the difference when I got the second one.

"All the boys came to me and said: 'Sadio, we trust you'. That gave me more motivation. The trophy belongs to the whole Senegal team - everyone deserves it."