Sadio Mane: I have no rivalry with Mo Salah

The Bayern Munich star edged out his former teammate to win back-to-back CAF Player of the Year awards.

Sadio Mane has ruled out suggestions that there is a rivalry between him and Mohamed Salah.

The former Liverpool pair were on the final shortlist for the African Player of the Year award, which also included Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy.

During a ceremony on Thursday, Mane claimed his second African Player of the Year award, which puts him on par with Salah.

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The Egyptian star has also won the award twice, claiming it in a similar back-to-back fashion in 2017 and 2018. However, Mane says his relationship with his former teammate is not based on their respective performances on the pitch.

“People sometimes say there’s a rivalry between me and [Salah], but you know I don’t see myself having a rivalry with any player to be honest,” Mane told GOAL. “We have good relations, we text each other. I think the media always try to [aggravate] things.

“You know I don’t just have [relationships] with one player, but with every player I’ve played with in the world. You can ask whoever you want in the club, or wherever I go. I have good relationships with all players.”

Mane left Liverpool after six years to join Bayern Munich earlier this summer. He went on to score in his debut for the Bavarians on Wednesday as they smashed DC United 6-2 in a pre-season friendly.

The Bundesliga champions will face Manchester City in their next game on Sunday.