All the amazing things Sadio Mané has done for charity

Sadio Mané is one of the world’s best footballers, his electric pace and lethal finishing inspiring devotion from fans and filling trophy cabinets, but his charity work has also been winning plaudits.

Mané left Liverpool in the summer of 2022 as a Merseyside icon, and is now plying his trade at German giants Bayern Munich.

On the pitch, he has led Senegal to glory, scoring the winning penalty in the final of the 2022 African Cup of Nations. Off the pitch, he’s been busy establishing a lasting legacy, passing on his wealth to help his community.

Last summer he was spotted playing football with friends on a muddy pitch in Bambali, his home village. It was from here Mané forged a football career, running away at the age of 15 to follow his dream. As his star has risen, he’s been giving back.

This is what Sadio Mané has done for charity.

Donated £500,000 for a hospital to be built in his home village of Bambali

Mané’s father died when he was a child, and the lack of health services in his home region has become a big cause in the footballer’s life.

“I remember my sister was also born at home because there is no hospital in our village. It was a really, really sad situation for everyone. I wanted to build one to give people hope,” told the Guardian in 2020.

The hospital, which includes a maternity care department, was inaugurated by the footballer in June 2021.

Donated £41,000 to the Senegal government when the pandemic hit

At the start of the pandemic in March 2020, another one of Sadio Mané’s charity donations took place – he gave £41,000 to the national committee fighting Covid in Senegal.

His agent said he had done it “spontaneously when he saw the evolution of the situation”.

Donated £250,000 for a new secondary school

In the spring of 2019, as Liverpool were in the final stages of their successful Champions League campaign, Mané made a £250,000 donation to fund a school in Bambali.

At a ceremony, Mané’s uncle read a speech from the player, which said: “Education is very important. This is what will enable you to have a good career.”

Donated laptops to students in his hometown

Not only has Mané given the money to build a school, he has helped students in his village participate in education.

Pupils were pictured with laptops donated by the footballer, along with a reported $400 (£320) donation to the best students.

Gifted 300 Liverpool shirts to people in his home village

If there are any Everton fans in Bambali, they’re probably wondering if they picked the wrong side.

Mané donated 300 Liverpool shirts so people in his village could wear them during the 2018 Champions League final.

Liverpool lost to Real Madrid, but those with the shirts had cause to celebrate the following year, when Liverpool lifted the trophy.

Sadio Mané was recognised with the first ever Socrates Award for his charity work

In October, Mané received the inaugural Socrates Award, named after Brazilian footballer Socrates, who agitated against the country’s military dictatorship in the 1980s. The award, introduced to recognise footballers taking on humanitarian work, was recognition for his off-pitch endeavours.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Mané said of his charity work: “Sometimes I’m a bit shy talking about it, but I’m really happy to do what I can for our people and to make, maybe, things better.”

Coming during the Ballon d’Or ceremony, it was a good night for Mané, who also finished second overall in the award for the best men’s player in the world.