Which players do the kids of today try to emulate on the playground? Messi? Ronaldo? Suarez? Probably…
A few years ago – when Suarez was still learning his trade at Groningen and Ronaldo was merely a glint in Alex Ferguson’s eye – a different player caught the attention of children around the world: Brazilian legend, Ronaldinho.
It’s hard to overexaggerate just how good the now 36-year-old genius was in his pomp at Barcelona. Imagine, therefore, if your childhood friends named you after the 2002 World Cup winner.
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According to the Echo, that’s exactly what Mane’s buddies did, both because of his skills and his adoration for the star.
Mane claims he idolised the legend while growing up, though he admits his desire to emulate his hero often got in the way of his academic work.
“Sometimes I didn’t go to school,” he reminisced. “I would run away to play football with my friend in the road.
“When I was young, I only thought about the Premier League which I watched on TV. Only Premier League. It was a big dream for me.”
Well, you’ve made it Sadio. And if you’re half as good as the two-time FIFA World Player of the Year, we’re onto a winner!