Sadio Mané's Bourges Homecoming

Former Liverpool and Bayern Munich star Sadio Mané, who now plays in Saudi Arabia, received an enthusiastic welcome on Saturday in Bourges, a National 2 club (4th division), of which he recently became a shareholder. Arriving by jet, the 31-year-old Senegalese international, who has been playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr since last summer, was first received at the town hall, where he signed the guestbook.

“It’s really a pleasure to be in Bourges, I want to feel at home in Bourges”, declared the footballer, recalling his friendship with the Senegalese president of the club, Cheikh Sylla.

"As we've said, soccer moves so fast that we don't know what's going to happen tomorrow. But one thing's for sure: we saw the club. We are going to do everything we can to do well this year, and try to go up. After that, we'll see what happens in the future. But what's certain is that we're going to do everything we can to achieve great things together," Mané said.

"I think children and I have a long history. As someone who loves children, seeing them smile and run up behind me is something that puts a spring in my heart," he added.

He then found an enthusiastic crowd of young footballers, multiplying selfies and autographs and was also to give the fictitious kick-off of the match between Bourges and Avoine-Chinon.

In a press release released in October, the Bourges club emphasized that the Senegalese star had the particular mission of “carry out a professionalization project” of the team.

“His decision to support the club demonstrates his interest in the transformation started by the current president, Cheikh Sylla and the potential for development that Bourges Foot 18 represents”indicated the Cher club, which occupied 9th place in Pool B of N2.