Sadio Mane snubs Salah, returns to training with Bayern

Mane — who suffered a right leg injury in November and had to undergo an operation — was all smiles when he turned up for training on Sunday

Sadio Mane snubs Salah, returns to training with Bayern
Mane

Senegalese international Sadio Mane said “it was just fantastic” to be back in training with Bayern Munich on Sunday three months after suffering the injury that ultimately ruled him out of the World Cup.

The 30-year-old forward has handed the German champions a much-needed boost a week ahead of their top of the table clash with Union Berlin.

Mane — who suffered a right leg injury in November and had to undergo an operation — was all smiles when he turned up for training on Sunday.

“To have this feeling again is just fantastic,” he said prior to training.

Having come through the session he expressed his delight to be back in the groove.

“I am a footballer, football is my life, I have missed it a lot,” he said.

“I am still motivated, I am overjoyed I will rediscover the supporters, football, the atmosphere, score goals and win.”



Meanwhile,Mane has bizarrely snubbed Mohamed Salah in favour of Reds’ cult hero Divock Origi when asked to select the best finisher he has played with in his career.

The Senegalese striker represented one third of a lethal attacking triumvirate alongside the current Liverpool star and Brazilian forward Roberto Firmino.

Mane lifted the Premier League crown, the Champions League, the FA Cup and a whole host of other trophies under Jurgen Klopp before a summer move to German giants Bayern Munich.



Considering Salah’s 174-goal haul for the Reds since his arrival, it would have been understandable that the Egyptian would be named as one of Mane’s most lethal teammates. That is not quite the case though.

Asked by 1teamsports on TikTok who the best finisher he has played with in his career, he took a moment to think before selecting ex-Reds striker Origi. The Belgian striker was not the most prolific during his time at Anfield with 41 goals in 175 appearances.

He became a cult hero though following an iconic goal against Barcelona in the Champions League, as well as a brilliant Merseyside derby record. Mane’s claim has also been backed up by Reds’ boss Klopp.

Speaking last season after Origi had once again scored against Everton, the German said: "He [Origi] is a legend on and off the pitch. Fantastic footballer, a world class striker and is our best finisher.

“Everyone would say the same. You see this in training. It is a really hard decision to make to leave him out. Everyone loves Divock here."

Despite the claims by both Mane and Klopp, Origi has endured somewhat of a nightmare spell since leaving Liverpool. He joined Italian giants AC Milan on a free transfer at the end of his contract on Merseyside.

The final question was to pick out the best defender that he has played alongside. Dutch centre-back Virgil van Dijk would have been an excellent suggestion following his transformative effect at Anfield.

Mane’s pick was instead Senegal teammate Kalidou Koulibaly. The defender enjoyed a stellar spell with Italian giants Napoli but has so far struggled to adapt to life in the Premier League following his summer switch to Chelsea.