Sadio Mane has moved away from Europe to have a different kind of lifestyle in Saudi. The player, who looks after his family with love and compassion, once had them involved in deciding his move to Riyadh. Months later, Mane felt it was right to expand his family and has gotten married to a 19-year-old woman, just days ago. While he was patiently waiting to ‘find his soulmate‘, the Senegalese star once revealed that he was asked to marry a 14-year-old girl!
The recent wedding news took the soccer world by surprise, considering the age gap. Sadio Mane, who is 31, is 12 years older than his newly wedded wife, Aisha Temba. However, the age gap could have been much bigger had he listened to his mother and uncle a few years ago.
Sadio Mane could have been married many years ago!
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The former Liverpool winger was frequently asked about getting married in all these years. But according to an old interview from 2019, Sadio Mane once faced a tough situation. He quoted, “I remember one day, my mum and my uncle wanted me to marry [as it is done in the villages] a 14-year-old girl. [Calling to someone off camera] Idy, it was 14 right? I believe that she will be 15 this year but I had refused“. However, another line that he said caught everyone’s attention.
“But no worries, if I mind my soul mate, I will get married straight away”, he concluded. He also admitted that he felt marriage was ‘a bit complicated’. Years later, the perception seems to have changed! Aisha, 19, has been in a relationship for a long time with Mane and he has been reportedly taking care of all her bills since her school days.
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The player also claimed that his wife does not use social media and has a private life. Mane, who is devout, also found a companion who does the same as per his expectation. The private ceremony reportedly took place on January 1 in Keur Massar, Dakar, the capital of Senegal. However, the celebrations will need to be cut short as Sadio Mane has a national commitment. The player will move to play in the 2024 AFCON and defend the title for Senegal.
The African Cup of Nations will begin on January 13, but Sadio Mane will play his first game against Gambia on January 15. Senegal is placed in Group C alongside Cameroon, Gambia, and Guinea. Mane was the top scorer for the Champions in the last edition, scoring three goals. However, the soccer icon will try to improve that number this time around.
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Will Senegal manage to retain its title? Let us know in the comments below.
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