Sadio Mane: 'Delighted with Ballon d'Or nomination, but I want more'

Sadio Mane: 'Delighted with Ballon d'Or nomination, but I want more' On Tuesday, September 8, the 30-man shortlist for the 2026 Ballon d'Or was unveiled by France Football, and it brought a surprise: two representatives from the Saudi Roshn League – Sadio Mane (Al-Nassr) and Julian Quinones (Al-Qadsiah). In an exclusive interview with Thmanyah, the Senegal striker opened up about his emotions, his colleagues, and his recent form. Mane didn't hide his pride at being named to the shortlist for the first time since 2026. 'It's fantastic. Being among the 30 is a great honor, especially as I am playing in Saudi Arabia – where football is growing every day. I am happy about it,' he said. However, he immediately expressed greater ambition: 'But I want more than just being nominated. I want to compete for a higher position. That's my motivation.' Notably, Mane praised other Saudi Roshn League players, especially Julian Quinones – the league's top scorer last season. 'I think many Saudi Roshn League players deserved a place on this list. Quinones scored non-stop. There are others. The votes – that's their decision, but I believe our league has more talent than people see.' This statement is not only personal humility but also an implicit claim about the rising status of Saudi football on the world map. However, the story doesn't end with joy. Mane also spoke candidly about Al-Nassr's recent difficulties. His team just suffered their first league defeat of the season against direct rival Al-Ittihad (1-2). Immediately after, they secured a narrow 2-1 win over Abha. Mane admitted: 'The win over Abha was exactly the response we needed. The three points were the most important thing.' But what caught fans' attention even more was Mane's self-criticism. He said: 'In the second half against Abha, I lost possession and misplayed passes more than usual. I take responsibility for that. But it was due to fatigue, the heat, and the packed fixture list. Sometimes you can't completely control your body.' This is a notable technical signal: a world-class player publicly acknowledging a drop-off due to physiological factors. In a league with harsh climate like Saudi Arabia, this is a real challenge, not just for Mane. Mane asserted: 'We have the quality to do better. I believe in my teammates. The work goes on. I want more, and the team does too.' His words carry the tone of a seasoned leader – taking responsibility while motivating the collective. Professional analysis: The loss to Al-Ittihad could be a wake-up call for Al-Nassr. Dropping points to a direct rival always hurts the title race math. However, the immediate response with a win over Abha shows the champions' resilience. Mane's technical error data (loss of possession, misplaced passes) should be monitored in subsequent matches. If the cause is a congested schedule and high temperatures, Al-Nassr's coaching staff must plan for better rotation. Another notable point: the presence of two Saudi Roshn League players in the 30-man Ballon d'Or shortlist signals that the league is gaining international recognition from the voting community, not just for its blockbuster signings. Julian Quinones, a less famous striker but the league's top scorer, being honored is evidence of the league's depth. Mane was right to emphasize that the league has more than meets the eye. From a media perspective, the Mane interview on Thmanyah, published by Goal.com and promoted on the Kooora forum, shows a deliberate media campaign to enhance the player's and the league's image. Mane lowering himself ('others deserved it too') instead of boasting is a smart tactic to reduce pressure and build goodwill. In summary, Sadio Mane is in an interesting phase: receiving a major personal honor while confronting physical and form challenges. His statement 'I want more' is not just personal aspiration but also a message to the entire Saudi Roshn League: prove that this league deserves a place on the world football map. The question remains: can Mane turn that aspiration into reality, or will age and climate become barriers? Time will tell.