In a historic moment for the player, African superstar Sadio Mane has made a life-changing gesture to the people of Senegal.
On Wednesday, the 2022 CAF Men's Player of the Year inaugurated the Stade de Bambali, a first-class stadium he built in his home village of the same name.
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The former Liverpool star has a hugely impressive reputation of giving back to the community, especially his hometown, where he has also built a school, a petrol station, and a hospital.
As his quest to seemingly revolutionise his native region continues, Mane made a heartwarming speech during the opening of his 1 000-seat stadium.
"I am really very happy to be with you today and to welcome you to my home, to my native village of Bambali, where it all began," he said, according to Senegalese outlet WIW Sport.
"It is with immense pride and a heart full of joy that I stand before you, on this FIFA standard football field which has a lot of meaning for me.
"This is not just a gift from me to my beloved village.
Above all, it is the symbol of our unity, our strength and our passion for football."
"... To you, young people, this land is for you. Cultivate your talents, live your dreams and surpass yourself.
"Above all, I encourage you to develop your skills, to work hard and to always believe in your abilities.
"I make this promise today: I will continue to support and invest in our community so that other young people can follow their dreams like I did.
"Together, let's build a future where every child has the chance to become the best version of themselves. Thank you for believing in this project and in our future.
"May this field be a witness to our passion, our determination and our collective success.”
With Sky Sports reporting that the 31-year-old earns a whopping £650 000 (R15.4 million) a week at Al Nasser – reportedly making him the highest-paid African footballer in the game – more is expected from the player in terms of giving back as he made a vow to always do so for as long as he can.
In 2022, he won the inaugural Socrates Award, an annual prize given to a footballer for their remarkable humanitarian work. Speaking of his relentlessly selfless ways, Mane explained his motives.
"Why would I want 10 Ferraris, 20 diamond watches, or two planes? What will these objects do for me and for the world? I was hungry, and I had to work in the field," the former Bayern Munich forward said, according to FIFA.
In another interview, this time with Ghanaian outlet nsemwoha.com, he explained that: "I survived hard times, played football barefooted. I did not have an education and many other things, but today with what I earn thanks to football, I can help my people.
"I built schools, a stadium; we provide clothes, shoes, food for people, who are in extreme poverty. In addition, I give 70 euros (R1 429) per month to all people in a very poor region of Senegal which contributes to their family economy.
"I do not need to display luxury cars, luxury homes, trips and even planes. I prefer that my people receive a little of what life has given me."
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