Ronaldo's team announces Sadio Mane
On August 1, Mane completed the transfer from Bayern to Al Nassr. He signed a four-year contract with a salary of $44 million tax-free per year. The Saudi club has to pay Bayern 30 million USD for a transfer fee of 30 million USD.
Mane only joined Bayern last summer, after moving from Liverpool for 35 million. In 38 appearances for the German team, he scored 12 goals. In April, after losing to Man City in the Champions League quarter-finals, the 31-year-old Senegalese striker punched teammate Leroy Sane. After that incident, he was fined and no longer used.
"Leaving Bayern hurt me," Mane told Sky Sports. "I wished for a different ending. I know that I can help Bayern this season. For now, I can only wish the club and the fans the best for the future."
Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel also felt sorry for not having the opportunity to exploit Mane's full potential. He doesn't want to make, but admits a Mane transfer is the best solution. "Bayern did not fulfill Mane's full potential and that is my responsibility," added Tuchel.
Mane is Al Nassr's fourth rookie. Previously, the Saudi Pro League runner-up spent $ 19.6 million to buy Marcelo Brozovic from Inter Milan, 28 million to buy Seko Fofana from Lens and 7.8 million to buy Alex Telles from Man Utd.
While playing for Liverpool, Mane scored 120 goals in 269 games. During his six years of service at Anfield, he won the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, European Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.
Ronaldo joined Al Nassr in January, on a free transfer. CR7 scored 14 goals in 16 games last season, but failed to win the Saudi Pro League. Al Ittihad won with 72 points and five points ahead of Al Nassr.
Al Nassr kicked off the 2023-2024 season with six friendly matches winning Alverca 2-0, Farense 5-1, losing to Celta Vigo 0-5, Benfica 1-4, drawing PSG 0-0 and Inter Milan 1-1. In the first two matches of the Arab Club Champions Cup group stage, Ronaldo and his teammates drew 0-0 with Al Shabab and won against Union Monastir 4-1.
