Mane, now plying his trade in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr, may have a glittering trophy cabinet but he has never forgotten his roots.
He won hearts with charitable acts in Bambali by pledging money to build a hospital and school, contributing to the construction of mosques and providing funds to aid the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
He also sent 300 Liverpool shirts to his hometown before the Anfield club’s appearance in the 2018 Champions League final, which Real Madrid ultimately won 3-1.
“If Sadio comes here, he behaves very humbly, on a level with the people in Bambali,” Fode Boucar Dahaba, the president of a regional league, told BBC Sport Africa on a visit to the village a few years ago.
“He doesn’t want to stand out. The village gives all this love back to him.”
Family members describe him as someone who is “working for everybody” and a “good Muslim”.
That was evident during his time in England’s top flight, when he helped clean the toilets at a mosque in Toxteth after one Liverpool victory.
“He wanted to remain discreet and wasn’t doing it for publicity,” said Abu Usamah Al-Tahabi, the imam at Al Rahma Mosque.
“He’s not a person looking for fanfare. There’s no arrogance.”
Senegal centre-back Moussa Niakhate hailed Mane as “an incredible man” in the lead-up to the final.
“I won’t have enough time to describe what Sadio represents for African football, and more particularly for the Senegalese people,” he added.