Let’s face it, the 2026 ‘FIFA Peace Prize’ is likely destined for one of Gianni Infantino’s associates. However, if justice were served, Sadio Mane would be the rightful honoree.

In a puzzling choice, the United States President Donald Trump was the first to receive this award, a decision as fitting as Morocco clinching the ‘fair play award’ at the Africa Cup of Nations.

To provide a bit of context, the final match on Sunday spiraled into chaos following a controversial refereeing decision that awarded Morocco a penalty in the 96th minute. In protest, Senegal’s players exited the field with most heading down the tunnel, while their fans attempted to invade the pitch.

Amidst the turmoil, one individual stood apart: Mane. He later shared, “It was I who convinced the team to return. The players and the coach decided to withdraw, I didn’t understand that decision, but finally, I told everyone to return immediately and to play, no matter the cost.”

Sadio Mane lifted the Africa Cup of Nations for the second time in his career on Sunday

Mane battles with Morocco’s Oussama Targhaline on the way to Senegal’s nail-biting extra-time victory

Even at 33, playing in Saudi Arabia, Mane remains a figure of composure in the storm. Though English fans might not frequently see the former Liverpool star, the Al-Nassr forward’s impressive achievements speak volumes.

This triumph marks Mane’s second AFCON title, following his first victory four years ago. His club-level accolades are equally remarkable, boasting a Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, German Bundesliga, Austrian Bundesliga, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup among his trophies.

As far as winner’s medal collections go, Mane is up there with the very best in the 21st century.

In terms of African all-time greats, how high should he be on a list alongside Didier Drogba, Yaya Toure, Riyad Mahrez, George Weah and, of course, Mo Salah? Given his achievements, you could make a compelling case for Mane to be very, very near the top as the best this continent has ever seen.

His relationship with his Egyptian contemporary has often been sold as a rivalry and a fiery episode at Burnley in 2019, where they clashed over Salah’s failure to pass to Mane, certainly helped with that theory.

Ex-Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino later recalled in his book Si Senor: ‘Mane left Liverpool precisely because he didn’t feel as valued as Salah within the club.’ But the Brazilian was at pains to add they had ‘utmost respect’ for one another despite not being ‘close friends’.

At international level, it has been a thrilling rivalry to define a generation – both competing to be king of African football.

Mane scored the winning penalty as Senegal beat Egypt in the 2021 AFCON final, they knocked them out on the way to this title and won a play-off for the 2022 World Cup in Dakar. Mane 3 Salah 0.

Mane, a Champions League winner with Liverpool in 2019, has a trophy collection that puts him as one of the greatest African players ever

He has had the edge on his former Reds team-mate Mohamed Salah when the pair have met at AFCON in recent years

That, in the eyes of many on this continent, is a leveller in the debate over who is better and, around the world on Sunday night, it was hard to argue against the merits of Mane’s illustrious career.

Is it a stretch to say, four years on from his exit, Liverpool still haven’t properly replaced him?

This was his last AFCON and what a fairytale ending to a story that began in the rural village of Bambali where his father, an imam, forbade him from playing sport in order to focus on his religious studies. He will still play in the World Cup, with France and Norway in their group.

At 15, he ran away from home to the capital of Dakar to become a footballer. The rest, as they say, is history – and Mane shall go down in the record books as one of the greatest African players of all time… and with it maybe one of the best of his generation across the globe.