Why Would I Want Ten Ferraris Or Twenty Diamond Watches…? – Sadio Mané

…From Humble Beginnings To Global Impact

African football star Sadio Mané has shared a heartfelt reflection on his values, questioning the pursuit of excessive material wealth. “Why would I want ten Ferraris, twenty diamond watches, and two airplanes? What good are these things for the betterment of the world?” he remarked, emphasizing a life focused on meaningful contributions rather than indulgence.

Mané’s comments, widely shared on social media, include an emotional recollection of his early struggles.

“When it was my turn to audition,” he recounted, “an older man looked at me like I was in the wrong place. He asked, ‘Are you here for the audition?’ I said yes. He then looked at my shoes and asked, ‘With those shoes? How can you think of playing with them?’”

Mané admitted his footwear was shabby, old, and broken, and the man continued, “And those shorts? Don’t you have any soccer shorts?”

Despite the skepticism, Mané stood firm. “I told him I was there with the best equipment I had and just wanted to play and show my qualities.”

His performance on the field changed everything. “The surprise on his face was unforgettable. He came to me and said, ‘I’ll sign you right away; you’ll play on my team.’”

Mané reflected on the hardships of his early life: “I went hungry, survived hard times, played barefoot, and didn’t go to school. I’ve never gone to a party because I know that if I don’t give everything, I won’t perform well on the pitch or achieve my goals.”

Now a global football icon, Mané uses his success to help others. “With what I earn, I’ve built schools, a stadium, and provided clothes, shoes, and food to people in extreme poverty. I donate €70 a month to every inhabitant of a very poor area in Senegal to support their families.

Mané also shunned distractions many of his peers enjoy. “I can’t even stand PlayStation, my classmates’ main hobby. I’ve never used it. To me, it’s just a way to waste time, and I don’t want to waste mine unnecessarily.”

Sadio Mané’s story is a testament to humility, determination, and a commitment to making the world a better place, proving that success is not measured by material possessions but by the impact one has on others.