Senegalese star Sadio Mane, who plays for Saudi club Al-Nassr, revealed details of the phone call he had with his teammate and captain, Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo, following the historic achievement of Senegal winning the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations hosted by the Kingdom of Morocco.
In a press statement reported by Yahoo Sports on Wednesday, Mane expressed his immense gratitude for the kind gesture from his Al-Nassr teammate, saying, "Cristiano Ronaldo personally called to warmly congratulate me after winning the Africa Cup of Nations title with the national team." The Senegalese star added, explaining Ronaldo's keen interest in supporting him, "Ronaldo told me he watched the entire final match and followed every detail of the game.".
A historic coronation in the heart of Morocco
This victory is particularly significant given the difficulty of the task, as the Senegalese national team managed to claim the coveted continental title after a 1-0 win against the host nation, Morocco, in a nail-biting final. Defeating the "Atlas Lions" on their home turf is a remarkable achievement that reflects the strong character of the Senegalese team and confirms their continued dominance of African football in recent years, especially considering the tremendous progress Moroccan football has made since qualifying for the 2022 World Cup.
Family spirit at Al-Nassr Saudi
This call reflects the depth of the relationship and the positive spirit that unites the stars of Al-Nassr FC (the global club). The bond between Mané and Ronaldo extends beyond the pitch to include moral support during international competitions, which benefits the Saudi team, boasting a selection of world-class players. Ronaldo's attendance at the Africa Cup of Nations final and his eagerness to congratulate his teammate highlight the leadership role he plays both on and off the field, strengthening the team's unity before the resumption of domestic and continental competitions.
Mane's numbers and his return to competition
Sadio Mane missed Al-Nassr's participation in the continental tournament, leaving the team without his services in attack. Before joining his national team's training camp, Mane delivered outstanding performances for Al-Nassr, playing 17 matches across various competitions, scoring 6 goals and providing 6 assists, significantly contributing to the team's attacking prowess. Al-Nassr fans eagerly await the return of their Senegalese star, hoping he will continue his impressive form alongside Ronaldo and the rest of the Al-Nassr squad in the Saudi Professional League.
