All the amazing things Sadio Mané has done for charity

Senegalese superstar Sadio Mané is set to leave Liverpool. His 120 goals have made him one of the game’s superstars – and brought attention to his incredible record of philanthropy and charity.

But his road to professional football wasn’t an easy one. He grew up in Bambali, a Senegalese village 250 miles away from the capital Dakar. At the age of 15, Mané ran away from home to pursue his dream of playing football.

The first major signing of the Jurgen Klopp era, Mané will depart having won the lot – Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and League Cup (although notably not all in the same season.)

His star rose even further in February, when he scored the winning penalty in the African Cup of Nations Final, propelling Senegal to victory.

And it is there that he has had the biggest impact, helping improve lives in his home country through health-care, education, and more.

Here are all the amazing things Sadio Mané has done for charity.

Donated £500,000 for a hospital to be built in his home village of Bambali

Mané’s father died when he was a child, and the lack of health services in his home region has become a big cause in the footballer’s life.

“I remember my sister was also born at home because there is no hospital in our village. It was a really, really sad situation for everyone. I wanted to build one to give people hope,” told the Guardian in 2020.

The hospital, which includes a maternity care department, was inaugurated by the footballer in June 2021.

Donated £41,000 to the Senegal government when the pandemic hit

At the start of the pandemic in March 2020, Mané donated £41,000 to the national committee fighting Covid in Senegal.

His agent said he had done it “spontaneously when he saw the evolution of the situation”.

Donated £250,000 for a new secondary school

In the spring of 2019, as Liverpool were in the final stages of their successful Champions League campaign, Mané made a £250,000 donation to fund a school in Bambali.

At a ceremony, Mané’s uncle read a speech from the player, which said: “Education is very important. This is what will enable you to have a good career.”

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Gifted 300 Liverpool shirts to people in his home village

If there are any Everton fans in Bambali, they’re probably wondering if they picked the wrong side.

Mané donated 300 Liverpool shirts so people in his village could wear them during the 2018 Champions League final.

Liverpool lost to Real Madrid, but those with the shirts had cause to celebrate the following year, when Liverpool lifted the trophy.