Sadio Mane’s Senegal teammate Moussa Niakhaté believes Sadio Mane was wrongly denied at least one Ballon d’Or during the peak of his powers after the former Liverpool man confirmed the 2025 AFCON would be his last for the Lions of Teranga.

Speaking during the pre-match press conference ahead of the AFCON 2025 final against Morocco, Niakhate did not hold back.  

According to the Lyon man, Mane should have won the 2022 Ballon d’Or after helping Senegal to lift the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon. 

"Sadio Mané is an exceptional player. He deserved to win the Ballon d’Or in his career," Niakhaté declared. 

"But above all, as a man, he is remarkable. He approached me personally to ask me to choose Senegal. For a man like him to knock on your door is simply incredible."

Niakhate’s comments come as Mane fancies his chances at lifting a second AFCON 2025 crown. The 33-year old recently confirmed the ongoing tournament would be his last . He intends to hang his boots following the 2026 World Cup, which Senegal will also participate in. 

Coach Pape Thiaw made it clear that neither the staff nor the nation is ready to say goodbye.

Coach Pape Thiaw, visibly moved when discussing his captain, made it clear that neither the staff nor the nation is ready to say goodbye.

"The choice to play his last AFCON, we do not agree. Neither the people nor I," Thiaw stated bluntly. 

"We want to see him continue with us. A person like Sadio Mané is an exceptional man. He risked his life on the pitch in 2022 to give us an AFCON title. We don't want him to stop. We still need him."

Thiaw argued that AFCON has historically been viewed as a lesser competition in the evaluation of players for global individual honors, a perception he said has negatively affected African players.

In the 2022 edition, Mane, who was on fire for both club and country, finished second to Karim Benzema.

The former Southampton man helped Liverpool win both the Carabao and FA Cups, They missed out on the Premier League title on the last day of the campaign to Manchester City, and lost the UEFA Champions League final to Real Madrid.

There was a compelling reason for Mane to clinch that award, but Karim Benzema enjoyed a stellar year, as he also helped Madrid clinch La Liga. He also scored over 40 goals in all competitions that year.

Whether Senegal win or lose the AFCON 2025 title, Mane’s last dance will fuel the Lions of Teranga. He will go down in history as arguably Senegal’s greatest player, and can look back on his career with great pride.