Sadio Mane to miss England match after making 'personal request' to Senegal boss
England are due to host Senegal at the City Ground on Tuesday, but Sadio Mane will not be in action for the visitors after asking to be left out of Pape Thiaw's squad
Former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane asked to be left out of Senegal's showpiece friendly against England after being targeted by critics and trolls over his recent performances for the African country.
Mane, 33, the winger who thrilled Anfield for six years playing in tandem with Mo Salah, was gutted to be singled out for widespread stick after the two World Cup qualifiers against Sudan and Togo in March.
His request to miss Friday night's clash against the Republic of Ireland and the meeting with England at the City Ground in Nottingham on Tuesday night 'for personal reasons' was reluctantly accepted by coach Pape Thiaw.
Mane, who plays alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, already faces an uncertain future at club level after being told by the Saudi Pro League club that he is free to find new employers this summer.
Senegal coach Thiaw said: 'It is a personal decision that belongs to Mane - and I respect it as a coach. Sadio is a very important player for us.
'But I don't coach one player, I coach 26 players, and so the most important thing is the collective. I have put together a squad of players who are available and ready to fight with pride for the national jersey.'
Mane has scored 45 goals in 113 appearances for Senegal since making his international debut in 2012. He scored the winning penalty in the shoot-out win over Salah's Egypt in the African Cup of Nations final in 2021 after missing a spot-kick early in the game.
Mane was named player of the tournament that year after scoring three times and also weighing in with two assists. But the two-time African Footballer of the Year now believes he is first in line to be criticised - despite becoming a national hero for his exploits on the pitch and his charity work off it.
Senegal's squad includes Premier League stars like Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson, Ismaila Sarr of Crystal Palace, Tottenham's Pape Sarr and Idrissa Gana Gueye of Everton. But the spotlight continually falls on the player who excelled for Metz, Red Bull Salzburg, Southampton, Liverpool and Bayern Munich during 12 years in Europe.
Senegal are currently second in the 2026 World Cup qualification table, a point behind DR Congo after being held to a goalless draw with Sudan before beating Togo 2-0. Mane said: 'A lot is said about me and I think I'm the most criticised player in Senegal.
'I don't have a problem with it. Everyone is free to give their opinion. But there must be better things to do than criticise Sadio Mane. What does it even get you?'
Augustin Senghor, the president of the Senegalese Football Federation, said: 'Of course, it's a heartbreak because everyone knows what Sadio means to our team. Perhaps it's a blessing in disguise, both for him and for us.
'We hope to have him back in top form for future matches, but this is a great opportunity for others to show themselves. The most important thing is that Sadio is there and ready for the big events to come.'
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