Spurs star Yves Bissouma says Liverpool legend Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah were his idols

In the vast world of football, certain moments stand out as defining chapters, not just for fans but also for players who, at one point, idolised the stars they now share the pitch with. Yves Bissouma, currently plying his trade with Tottenham Hotspur, recently shared a glimpse into his journey, highlighting how Liverpool legends Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah were his footballing idols.

Bissouma’s revelation offers an interesting insight into the allure of Liverpool’s dynamic duo, whose influence transcends the boundaries of the game, reaching aspiring talents even in distant corners of the world. The Spurs midfielder recounted a moment that encapsulated the surreal nature of his footballing dream coming full circle.

Back in 2018, Bissouma was fresh into English Football, having secured a move to Brighton and Hove Albion from Lille. While he had already made his debut for the Seagulls in a match against Watford, his first start came against Liverpool, and that too, at Anfield.

Here is what Bissouma had to say to Tottenham’s official YouTube channel, recalling that match against Liverpool, sharing the pitch with the likes of Mo Salah and Sadio Mane:

“During that match I came out of the locker room and I saw Van Dijk, I saw Mane, I saw Salah. These were the guys I saw on TV when I was in France and now I was in the same tunnel going up against them. It was like a dream, you know what I mean? Mane and Salah were my idols, and I just thought ‘woah’. My heart was beating fast.”

Bissouma’s journey from watching Liverpool’s formidable front duo on television to sharing the same turf with them at Anfield is a narrative that resonates with the dreams of countless young football enthusiasts, particularly in Africa. The impact of players like Salah and Mane transcends their on-field exploits; it becomes a source of inspiration for aspiring talents who dare to dream big.

Bissouma talks about the Reds

Growing up in Mali, Bissouma, like many others across the continent, witnessed the rise of Mane and Salah as footballing icons. The duo’s success stories, from humble beginnings to conquering European football, create a narrative that transcends borders, making Liverpool not just a football club but a global brand with great pull.

In fact, Bissouma was close to sharing the dressing room with Mo and Mane, when he saw himself linked with a move to the Reds in 2021.

The duo’s journey from being idols for young talents like Bissouma to becoming global footballing icons is certainly a testament to the transformative power of the beautiful game.

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Thinking back on it now, it must surely feel so surreal for Mo and Mane themselves to think that they impact lives in the way they do without having absolutely any clue about it. Football for you.