Sadio Mané played a pivotal role in defusing a tense moment during the 2025 AFCON final, when Senegal briefly walked off the pitch over a controversial penalty decision. The Teranga Lions, feeling the call was excessively harsh, threatened not to continue the match, putting the final on the brink of chaos.
According to Mané, he reached out to some of African football’s most respected voices for guidance. “I spoke with Claude Le Roy and he told me we should stay. I also asked Mamadou Niang, and he also told me we should stay. Even El Hadji Diouf told me: we should play. So I asked everyone to come back,” Mané explained.
Thanks to his intervention and the advice of these footballing icons, the Senegal squad returned to the field to conclude the match, ensuring the final could be decided on the pitch. Mané’s leadership in that moment not only salvaged the game but also highlighted his role as a bridge between generations, guiding his teammates with calm, respect, and authority under immense pressure.