After Al Nassr reportedly attempted to offload him at the start of the season, former Liverpool superstar Sadio Mane appears to be silencing his critics with his incredible form in Saudi Arabia.
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The conversation around the 32-year-old looks to be changing after a difficult debut campaign in the Middle East.
Despite his 30 goal contributions last term, sections of the media criticised the ex-Premier League winger's performances almost on a weekly basis as rumours suggested he did not get on with Cristiano Ronaldo.
Heading into the transfer window ahead of the new season, it appeared certain Mane would depart the Knights of Najd. Reports claimed the club were aiming to loan him out, potentially even to another top club in the same country.
The Senegal international was also linked with a return to Europe, but Mane and his camp insisted on staying at Al Nassr.
That call, though it might have been hard to make, is paying off.
The winger was on target in Al Nassr's 2-1 victory over Al Rayyan in the AFC Champions League on Monday night, a strike that means he has now played a hand in seven goals already this season.
All five of his assists in the 2024/25 campaign have come in the Saudi Pro League, in which the two-time African Footballer of the Year has played every minute for Al Nassr so far.
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Overall, Mane has scored twice and set up five goals, form that has seen him become one of Al Nassr's key players. New manager Stefano Pioli will be enjoying what he is seeing from the former Bayern Munich man, who still has two years on his deal at the club.
