Liverpool winger Sadio Mane has revealed that he would swap the Champions League trophy for an Africa Cup of Nations title with Senegal.
Mane is currently competing for the continental trophy with his country, with the Lions having won their opening group stage match 2-0 against Tanzania on Sunday.
Speaking to France Football, the 27-year-old admitted that helping his national team win their first Africa Cup of Nations title would be a dream of his, adding that he is prepared to trade the Champions League for it.
“It’s up to us to achieve something great,” the Reds star said. “Of course we are among the favorites, we will not hide it.
“But this status is not enough to go to the end. To win for this country, which has never won an Africa Cup of Nations, must be magnificent. I am even ready to trade a Champions League for the trophy.
“The return to Dakar would be extraordinary. It would be my craziest dream.”
OPINION
These are some really strong words from Mane, and they show just how much pride he takes in playing for his country. The fact that he is prepared to trade his Champions League win for the Africa Cup of Nations says it all – that the continental tournament is the one that Mane has got his eyes set on and wants desperately to win before he retires. And Senegal really do have a good chance of winning the trophy this year. As Mane says, his side are favourites, but if you look at their side, you can understand why. They have Kalidou Koulibaly at the back, who is one of the most coveted centre-backs in world football at the moment. In midfield, they have Inter’s Keita Balde and Everton’s Idrissa Guana Gueye, and up front, they have Mane himself, a Champions League winner and Premier League golden boot winner who was the most impressive of Liverpool’s front three last season. In their first game, they looked solid as they scored two impressive goals and kept a clean sheet – and that was without fielding Mane. The next task will be taking a massive step towards the last 16 with victory over Algeria on Thursday.
