Sadio Mane reveals personal tragedy that is driving him forward

Liverpool striker Sadio Mane is the epitome of humility and gratitude. The down to earth Senegalese has constantly given back to the community over the years, especially his hometown.

According to the Guardian, the 27-year-old is helping construct a hospital in his hometown in the Sedhiou province. The facility will be ready to open in six months’ time. This goes hand in hand with the school he had earlier helped construct.

The roots for the winger’s generosity, unfortunately, lies in a personal tragedy that afflicted him and his family when he was just seven years old.

Mane’s father passed away after being sick for months. There were no hospitals in Bambali to treat him and his family had to take him to the neighbouring town, to no avail.

The Liverpool star looks back to his father with pride and revealed that he was a good man who was proud of his son. His passing away had a huge impact on Mane and his family.

“Now I have to do my best to help my mother.’ That’s a hard thing to deal with when you are so young.”

Coming from a province where almost 70 percent of the population lives in poverty, Mane’s contributions could be the difference between life and death. He stressed on the construction as an act of bringing hope to his people.

“I wanted to build one to give people hope”

Where there is life, there is hope!

Mane’s father was an imam and the family gathers every year on the anniversary of his death to recite the Qur’an. As a youngster, the winger ran away from home to realize his dream of becoming a professional footballer.

It has not been an easy journey, but the Senegalese is now a European champion and is officially the best player in Africa. He has come a long way indeed.

Mane is a popular figure in Bambali. He maintains close connections to the people there and has not let his fame and success go to his head. A household name at Liverpool, he is a fan favourite who will be remembered by generations to come.

The story will form part of the upcoming documentary on the player’s life. You can view the trailer below.

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The Senegalese star is one of the best players on the planet today. His path to success hasn’t always been easy but with a smile on his face and hope in his heart, he has continued to soldier through numerous adversities.

Andy Dufresne from the movie Shawshank Redemption stated that hope is a good thing, and no good thing ever dies. We can say it with absolute confidence that Mane’s father could not have been prouder of his son.