Former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane has bid farewell to Bayern Munich and embarked on a new chapter in his career, signing with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr.
The Senegalese star’s move comes after a challenging season with the German champions, during which injuries hampered his performance on the pitch.
Mane, who joined Bayern Munich from Liverpool for a reported fee of £35 million just a year ago, struggled to find his rhythm during his time in the Bundesliga.
The 31-year-old forward managed to score 12 goals in 38 appearances for his new club, but his season was plagued by unfortunate injuries that limited his impact on the field.
Adding to the difficult season, Mane also found himself involved in an unsavoury incident with Manchester City’s Leroy Sane.
The altercation took place in the dressing room after Bayern’s Champions League defeat, further contributing to a turbulent period for the talented forward.
Leroy Sane reportedly called Sadio Mane a ‘Black sh*t’ before getting punched
Bayern Munich CEO, Jan-Christian Dreesen, acknowledged that Mane’s time at the club was far from easy and that he was unable to contribute as much as both parties had hoped.
Consequently, they decided together that a fresh start at another club would be the best move for Mane’s career.
Bayern has reportedly recouped the majority of the transfer fee they paid Liverpool for Mane, indicating that the move to Al-Nassr was a mutual decision.
Prior to the official announcement of the move, Bayern’s coach, Thomas Tuchel, spoke about his relationship with Mane and the decision to part ways.
Both Tuchel and Mane agreed that they were unhappy with the current situation, leading them to conclude that a separation would be in everyone’s best interest.
Despite the challenges, Tuchel emphasized that he had always maintained a positive relationship with the player, and that mutual respect would endure despite the parting of ways.
Mane’s decision to join Al-Nassr comes with added intrigue as he will now be reunited with Cristiano Ronaldo, who made a sensational move to the Saudi Arabian club recently.
The prospect of two world-class players teaming up in the Saudi Pro League has undoubtedly piqued the interest of football fans worldwide.
