Patrick Vieira clarified that Sadio Mané has not yet said goodbye to the Senegal national team. The 35-year-old forward reportedly expressed his intention to retire after the World Cup, but the Senegalese coach disputes this information.
Like many other national teams, Vieira presented his squad for the upcoming international break on Friday afternoon. Mané is absent, primarily due to physical issues.
“Sadio Mané is affected by an injury, which justifies his absence, but he will return for the next international break,” Vieira stated at a press conference.
“Starting tomorrow, I am ready to put my experience at the service of the nation, whether in the technical staff, on the coaching bench, or within the board of directors,” Mané reportedly said in an interview in early July.
However, the 50-year-old national coach revealed that he had a phone conversation with the international player, who has 130 caps, and that Mané has not yet officially announced his retirement.
During the next international break, Senegal will face Mozambique, Ethiopia, and Comoros. Vieira was appointed head coach of the Senegalese team in August, succeeding Papa Thiaw, who left his position after the World Cup.
