Recently, Senegalese and Bayern Munich forward, Sadio Mane won the inaugural Socrates’ award for his philanthropic work in the past years at the 66th annual ceremony of the Ballon d’Or, presented by France Football. If two things have always made a headline about Mane in the last five years, it would be his goal-poaching skill and philanthropic act.
The award was named after the late Brazilian skipper Socrates, who was known for his vast knowledge of football, Medicine, and Politics. He was also a revolutionist who wanted good governance for the people of Brazil.
Mane might not be the talking type but his actions in ensuring a good atmosphere and future for his people have revealed the intent of his heart.
The community projects done in his Bambali village have been a state-of-the-art building that is worth over 500k in school and hospital.
Aside from building a school and hospital, Mane has also been seen helping the needy within and outside his locality.
Meanwhile, Ahmed Musa can also be likened to the illustrious Senegal son, Sadio Mane.
Both footballers started from a humble beginning on their path to becoming professional footballers. While Mane at seven lost his father, who was an Imam, Musa also had a similar fate whereby his father, Alhaji Musa also died while he was seven and then raised by his mother, Sarah Moses.
Growing up for both players wasn’t a bed of roses as they had to survive thick and thin moments to attain greatness. Musa’s Mother, before her demise, confirmed how difficult raising Musa and his four sisters were in an interview with Sportinglife.
https://thenationonlineng.net/
More also, both players had to leave their comfort zone to look for greener pastures on other grounds. While Mane was playing in M’bour, Musa got to play for Judith FC which was the starting point of his career.
Similarities
Both players are 30 years old.
Both players are five feet tall.
Both players play from the wing and use the right foot preferably.
Aside from their physical similarities, both Sadio Mane and Ahmed Musa are also givers. A look into Ahmed Musa’s charitable work places him alongside Mane who has been identified as the “Socrates” of modern-day football.
An excerpt from Musa’s philanthropic work
A #500 million worth sports fitness center was built by Musa in the ancient city of Kano.
Musa is known for showering gifts on national team players. Three Million was given to the Flamingos and 1million was gifted to the Dream Team.
Musa as well gave his teammate 5 million in a bid to celebrate his 100th cap during Nigeria vs Cape Verde at the World Cup qualifiers last year.
Another published charitable doings was Musa gifting former Olympian, Kingsley Obiekwu a sum of #2 million after the former Super Eagles defender was said to be financially constrained.
Just like Mane, Musa went to his birth town of Jos to empower small-medium enterprise owners with over 50m.
The latest was the school built in Jos in the name of his parents, Musa and Sarah who are currently late.
With all of this and more that were never known to the public by Ahmed Musa, the Super Eagles skipper is a likely favorite for the next Socrates’ Award.
Discussion about this post