Senegalese forward Sadio Mané, now playing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, has named his dream five-a-side team during an interview with Rio Ferdinand, sparking debate among fans after omitting Mohamed Salah.
Mané, who shared six successful seasons with Salah at Liverpool — winning the Premier League and Champions League together — explained his choices by highlighting players he admired most and those who had a big impact on his career.
His selections included:
Virgil van Dijk – whom he described as one of the greatest defenders in Premier League history.
Kalidou Koulibaly – his Senegal national teammate and defensive partner in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations triumph.
Thiago Alcântara – praised for his creativity and technical brilliance in midfield.
Cristiano Ronaldo – his current teammate at Al-Nassr, chosen for his legendary status and winning mentality.
Sadio Mané himself – rounding out the team as the attacking spearhead.
The absence of Salah, with whom Mané formed one of Europe’s most feared attacking trios alongside Roberto Firmino, shocked many supporters. Fans speculated whether the omission reflected lingering tension between the two forwards, who were occasionally portrayed as rivals during their Liverpool days.
Despite the snub, Mané emphasized his respect for Salah, calling him “a fantastic player,” but insisted his dream team was based on personal preference and balance rather than sentiment.
The revelation has reignited discussions about Liverpool’s golden era under Jürgen Klopp, when Mané, Salah, and Firmino combined for over 250 goals and helped the club secure multiple trophies.
