Rags to riches.
A young boy grows up in Bambali, in Senegal. Loses a revered father at age 7. Years of harsh living follow. Starvation, punishing menial work, lack of the most basic amenities, of clothes and shoes. Left to support his mother, he has no opportunity to attend school.
Finally, age 15, he runs away from home. Ends up in Dakar, desperate to pursue a soccer career.
He is Sadio Mané.
Soon, both his breathtaking skill and burgeoning talent attract professional scouts. A class operator, like a panther coiled and ready to strike. He scores goals for fun, his concentration, speed, dribbling ability, awareness, and creativity causing defences at the highest level all manner of problems.
Accolades and awards soon follow. A storied club career features stops in France, Austria, England, and most recently, Saudi Arabia. At Liverpool, he is a major linchpin in a side that captures Premier League and European Champions League titles. Regularly, from 2019 through 2022, nominated for the Ballon D’Or and/or FIFA’s Best Player. In 2020 confirmed as Africa’s Footballer of the Year.
At the international level, for over a decade he stars equally for Senegal. 46 goals in 113 appearances. An Olympian in 2012, a World Cup in 2018, and multiple appearances, one as a champion, in the African Nations Cup.
And, of course, along the way, he pockets millions of dollars in salary.
Happily, he never forgets his roots. And so, I delight in learning about his modesty, charity, extreme generosity, and overall approach to life. Not for him all the trappings of wealth or a decadent, luxurious lifestyle. Instead, his fans are gobsmacked when photos emerge of Mané, carrying a battered iPhone 11.
Perhaps they should focus more on his philanthropy.
In this regard, over the past few years, Mané builds a school in his home village. Purchases supplies and an internet service for students. Contributes handsomely to the construction of a new hospital. Finances a community gas station and post office. Donates a monthly cash stipend to hundreds of families. Provides funds to a national organization fighting COVID-19.
Mané is also an ambassador for Right To Play, a non-profit organization looking to empower vulnerable Senegalese children and improve their access to both education and sport.
As to why, his reasons are clear cut and honourable.
“Why would I want or need multiple fancy cars, or diamond watches?” he asks. “Do I really require the latest phones or my own charter planes? The answer is no. I’ve no desire to show off my wealth.”
Instead, he recalls his own trials growing up, of going without food or shoes. Of long, back breaking hours tilling the fields. Of missing out on school.
And so, given his resources, he now chooses to help people. With many struggling in abject poverty, he allows them to receive, and benefit from, some of what life has given him.
In this regard, I again consider the photo of his scratched iPhone.
So interesting that Mané is now, in monetary terms, richer than in his wildest dreams. Yet, still carries the aging phone. An implement, in a rapidly and ever-changing world, apparently already long out of date. I hazard a guess he uses this device as little as possible. Cares even less about, is impervious to, the supposed necessity and pressures of owning a newer, “smarter” model.
Certainly, he would be aghast at the tribulations currently faced by countless people all around the world, especially teenagers, in this current hi-tech age.
The evidence is damning. Far too many children clumped in groups, but heads down, buried in their phones. No eye contact, no chatter, in a twisted way in their own silo. Therefore, alone, often up to nine hours a day. No doubt a good percentage of them awake each night until well into the wee hours, so inevitably sleep deprived. And, if separated from their phones for any length of time, soon moody, silent, and bored. In the very real throes of addiction, or withdrawal, unaware of a rewiring of their brains.
No surprise then that depression, anxiety, stress, panic attacks, self harm, online abuse, and mental illness are on the rise. Add in the dangers and absolute toxicity of social media, for too many their only source of supposed information.
And so, I salute Mané’s magnificent gestures. Of all he has accomplished as a hugely talented athlete. But more in his response to the hardships and difficulties of others. Providing resources and opportunities. Setting an example.
Certainly, happy to brandish his iPhone 11 for all to see, he sends a clear, powerful message. Namely, that relentlessly keeping pace with technology, of being a slave to browsing, texting, WhatsApp, X, Snapchat, Instagram, You Tube, Tik Tok, and hundreds of other apps, is not only unnecessary, but potentially dangerous.
In this regard, to people great and small, he is the Senegalese Santa. With a gift for everyone.
Merry Christmas.
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