Sadio Mane makes major Mohamed Salah admission, lifts lid on ‘rivalry’ and Burnley incident

Last Updated on 21 November 2025

Former Liverpool star Sadio Mane has finally broken his silence on his relationship with ex-teammate Mohamed Salah, addressing the infamous on-field rivalry and revealing how a heated argument ultimately strengthened their bond.

For years, the bond between Liverpool’s legendary attacking duo was scrutinised, particularly after a visible on-pitch bust-up. Now, Sadio Mane has provided the definitive truth, confirming the professional competition was real but dispelling myths of personal animosity.

What Happened Between Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah?

The perception of a fierce rivalry between the two African football icons largely stems from a singular, highly publicized incident during a Premier League match against Burnley in August 2019.

During the game, Mo Salah chose to shoot at goal instead of passing the ball to a wide-open Mane, who was in a superior scoring position. Moments later, when Mane was substituted, he reacted visibly, showing his frustration with his Egyptian teammate on the sideline. The image of the Senegalese forward gesturing angrily became a defining moment for those who believed the pair’s relationship was hostile.

Mane admitted in a recent interview that he was “really, really angry” in the moment, as he felt Salah “should pass” the ball. However, he emphasized that this on-field tension was purely competitive and rooted in a desire to score goals, not personal dislike.

What did Mane Say About Salah?

Speaking openly, Sadio Mane heaped praise on his former partner while giving insight into their shared ambition.

Mane described Salah as a “great player” and a “nice guy.” He confirmed that while there was a competitive edge, it was never a “bad thing,” but rather a motivation to push each other for the benefit of the team.

Mane has now shed light on his relationship with Mo Salah and revealed how the Burnley incident was resolved. Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents Podcast, he said:

“Great player. Great player. Everybody say the same that there was a rivalry, you know, usually, but it’s not… I don’t think it’s a bad thing. And me, I’m someone who is quiet, but I’m friendly with everybody in the team. I’m like this.

“So, I think Mo is also a very nice guy. He’s a nice guy. I think though, inside the pitch, you can see – sometimes he passes me, sometimes he doesn’t pass me; sometimes he passes me, sometimes he doesn’t pass me. But, you know, only Bobby was there to share the ball. Sometimes like this…”

“And I still remember one game when I was really, really angry because he didn’t pass me, he should pass me. I was really, really angry after the game. And the next day, he came to me. He wants to talk to me, but he doesn’t know when, how to say. He still thinks I’m angry against him because we didn’t see each other, we went home.

“The next day he came to me. He said, “Can we talk?” I said, ‘OK, no problem’, we go. And he said, “You think I didn’t want to pass you? I didn’t score. Bobby scored. But even when I got the ball, I was not thinking or even seeing you to pass. I just got the ball. I want to shoot. But I have nothing against you. And honestly, if I could pass you and I saw you, I will do. And this, you know… I said, “Mo, don’t worry. It passed, it passed. I was angry because I think you could pass me more with your quality.

Mane went on to disclose that this honest exchange brought them “even closer,” demonstrating that their relationship was built on mutual respect and professional understanding.

He acknowledged that as a striker, Salah’s powerful goal-scoring instinct sometimes means he doesn’t see anyone else—a common trait among elite forwards.

“I think since this day we become even closer. And sometimes it happen, but we just… as a striker, because Mo, usually when you see the ball, you don’t see nobody. You don’t see nobody. So for me, he didn’t do it personally. He just want to score, score, score.

“And then I was talking, I think, “Mo, I can see you want to be more… I can help you a lot because I know you want to be top scorer. You want… I can. Me, I’m here. I can help you because I don’t have this problem. Me, I’ll help you more.”

How Many times Did Salah Assist Mane?:

Despite the reputation of being a ‘selfish’ player, Salah provided the most assists to Mane during the Senegalese forward’s time at the club.

Salah provided 17 assists to Mane across all competitions.

How Many Times Did Mane Assist Salah?

Mane is credited with 18 assists for Mo Salah across all competitions during their shared career at Liverpool.

This high number underscores the productive nature of their collaboration, as they frequently set each other up to score in crucial matches across the Premier League and the Champions League.

Mane and Salah Were Part of One of the Best Attacking Trios in the Premier League

The most enduring legacy of both Mane and Salah at Liverpool is their integral role in the fearsome attacking trio, often referred to as ‘MSF’ (Mane, Salah, Firmino).

Along with Brazilian forward Roberto Firmino, the wide attackers formed one of the most devastating and successful attacking forces in Premier League history. Their high-energy, high-pressing style was the engine room of Jürgen Klopp’s tactical revolution.

Together, the trio spearheaded Liverpool to immense success, including:

• The UEFA Champions League title (2019).
• The club’s first-ever Premier League title (2020), ending a 30-year wait.

Their understanding, pace, and clinical finishing made them a nightmare for opposing defenses and cemented their status among the Premier League’s legendary forward lines.

Where Is Mane Now?

After departing Liverpool in 2022 for a spell at Bayern Munich, Mane currently plays his football in the Middle East.

The Senegal captain now plies his trade for Al-Nassr FC in the Saudi Pro League, where he links up with other global superstars, including Cristiano Ronaldo.

Despite the distance, Mane’s recent comments prove his deep respect and lasting admiration for his former Liverpool teammate Mo Salah.