"?Liverpool winger Sadio Mane has revealed which childhood hero inspired him growing up in Senegal and also motivated the former Southampton star to make the switch to Anfield himself when he had the chance this summer.
"When I was young I watched El-Hadji Diouf," Mane explained in an interview with the
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Not only did Sadio Mane's #PLIdol inspire him to play football, but also to play for @LFC... pic.twitter.com/8TUNux3WPK
"He was one of my heroes. Because he played for Liverpool there was an especially big motivation for me (to join) because he was a great player for us (back home in Senegal), with clubs and the national team."
Speaking to
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BBC AFOTY nominee Sadio Mane on action films and ElHadji Diouf. pic.twitter.com/Odl0R2jRqs
Diouf was famously part of the Senegal team that stunned reigning world and European champions France in the opening game of the 2002 World Cup and later went on to match the best performance by an African team on the global stage by reaching the quarter finals.
Diouf's £10m move to Liverpool from Lens had already been arranged prior to the tournament in the far east. He scored twice home debut at Anfield, but they proved to be two of only three Premier League goals he would score for the Reds.
The controversial forward's best time in England came later during a four-year spell at Bolton.
Diouf will forever be fondly remembered by the people of Senegal for his in the class of 2002, while for Mane his best moment with the national team so far has been reaching the African Cup of Nations in 2015.
"The best moment was my first time qualifying for the Africa Cup," he said.
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