Sadio Mane holds the unique honour of being one of only eight footballers to feature in the world’s 50 highest-paid athletes.
The 33-year-old secured the 48th spot on Forbes’ World’s Highest-Paid Athletes 2025 list. His inclusion in this elite list is largely due to the influx of European talent into Saudi Arabia, where clubs offer sky-high contracts, with Mane reaping the benefits.
In addition to his hefty contract, the Liverpool legend made waves last year when he tied the knot with his wife Aisha Mane, who was just 18 at the time. Even before penning a mammoth deal with Al-Nassr – where he shares a dressing room with Cristiano Ronaldo – the Senegal captain made it clear that he had no plans to squander his wealth on material possessions, opting instead to invest in his hometown.
Following Mane’s entry into the rich-list, Mirror Football delved into other aspects of his career and stint in Saudi Arabia.
Staggering Saudi earnings
The winger’s switch to the Middle East in 2023 followed a single season at Bayern Munich, where he failed to replicate the same form he displayed at Liverpool. Upon joining Al-Nassr, he landed a jaw-dropping contract that sees him take home around £644,987 ($856,607) per week, pushing his annual salary over the £33 million ($44.83 million) threshold.
If those figures weren’t already astonishing, Mane’s earnings on the Forbes list suggest he amassed a staggering £40.6M ($53.9M) over the past year. This sum comprises his £37.6M ($50M) salary and an additional £3M ($4M) from off-field ventures, including endorsement deals with major brands such as Adidas, Pepsi, and Vodafone.
Sadio Mane’s marriage
The football world was shocked when Mane tied the knot with Aisha Tamba in an Islamic arranged ceremony in January 2024, given their 14-year age difference. Mane was 31 years old at the time of the wedding, while Aisha was just 18 years old.
The couple recently welcomed a baby girl named Animata. Aisha’s father, Madou Tamba, is a prominent builder who has overseen numerous projects in Mane’s hometown of Bambali.
(Image: magvision_evens_officiel/Instagram)
Aisha, who comes from a private family, has expressed that the wealth brought by her husband’s football salary is not what drives her.
In an interview with the Mail via a relative, she shared: “I am looking forward to my new life and I know that it will be very different. But I do not feel any pressure because Sadio’s fame and money will not change me. This is not what I’m interested in. I will remain a humble person committed to my faith.
“I’m not used to having so much attention on me because we are a very private family. We don’t like to show off and speak about our personal lives. I am a very down to earth person, this is how I was raised, and nothing will be different just because of this marriage. But I’m very honoured to now be Mrs Mane.”
Eschewing the trappings of wealth
Mane’s ascent to riches through his move to Saudi Arabia is a stark contrast to his modest upbringing in Senegal. Despite becoming a multi-millionaire as a professional footballer, he has made it clear that he gains no satisfaction from excessive spending on opulence such as swanky motors or pricey bling.
(Image: Getty Images)
Speaking with AS, he expressed his indifference towards extravagance: “Why would I want ten Ferraris, 20 diamond watches, or two planes? What will these objects do for me and for the world? I was hungry, and I had to work in the field; I survived hard times, played football barefooted, I did not have an education and many other things, but today with what I earn thanks to football, I can help my people.
“I built schools, a stadium, we provide clothes, shoes, food for people who are in extreme poverty. In addition, I give 70 euros per month to all people in a very poor region of Senegal which contributes to their family economy. I do not need to display luxury cars, luxury homes, trips and even planes. I prefer that my people receive a little of what life has given me.”
