Senegal boss, Aliou Cisse, has hailed Sadio Mane as a “unique” talent who is already one of the world’s best players.
Mane will lead Senegal on Tuesday as they open their World Cup campaign against Poland, the first time since 2002 they have qualified for the tournament.
Mane enjoyed a stunning season with Liverpool, plundering 20 goals and helping inspire Jurgen Klopp’s side to the Champions League final against Real Madrid.
Senegal coach Cisse, who captained his country on their last World Cup appearance 16 years ago, believes Mane already belongs in the bracket of world-class players and will prove so in Russia.
“I don’t want to say he could become one of the best players in the world,” said Cisse. “He is already one of the best – you have to stress this.
“He plays for an iconic club in Liverpool, which is one of the best clubs in Europe.
“He has shown he is top-notch with his club, and he has something unique.
“He’s unpredictable, at any point he can make the difference with a dribble and pass, so for me he is already one of the best players.
“Sadio is a unique player and he can’t be compared to any other Senegal players, even if we’ve had some major ones in the past.
“He’s unique and despite everything that has occurred to him in the last two or three years, he hasn’t changed.
“He’s just as humble as the first time I met him, six years ago at the Olympics.
“His mentality hasn’t changed, his behaviour to staff and his humility to federal leaders and team-mates is the same, so he’s a player who can bring a lot to the team.”