Patrick Vieira says Sadio Mane has not officially retired from international football, despite reports that the 35-year-old forward planned to step away from the Senegal team after the World Cup.
Mane was left out of Vieira’s squad for the forthcoming international break, with the Senegal manager attributing his absence to injury rather than a decision to end his international career.
“Sadio Mane is suffering from an injury, which explains his absence, but he will be back for the next international break,” Vieira said at a news conference after announcing his squad on Friday afternoon.
Reports of Mane’s retirement followed comments he was said to have made in an interview at the beginning of July.
“From tomorrow, I would gladly put my experience at the service of the nation, whether within the technical staff, on the coaches’ bench or on the board of directors,” Mane reportedly said.
However, Vieira, 50, said he had spoken to the Senegal international by telephone and that the player had not formally announced his retirement.
The forward has won 130 caps for Senegal. The national team will face Mozambique, Ethiopia and Comoros during the next international break.
Vieira was appointed Senegal manager in August, succeeding Papa Thiaw, who left his position after the World Cup.