Senegal national team captain Sadio Mané revealed details of the phone call he had with his Al-Nassr club teammate, Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, following the “Lions of Teranga’s” victory in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The team was crowned champion of the 35th edition of the tournament after defeating Morocco 1-0 in the final match held last Sunday at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in the capital, Rabat.
On an individual level, Sadio Mané (33 years old) was awarded the tournament’s best player prize, in recognition of his outstanding performance throughout the competition. He also announced that this edition would be his last in his continental career with the national team.
Mané said that Cristiano Ronaldo called to congratulate him on the African title.
He explained: “Cristiano Ronaldo called me to congratulate me on winning the Africa Cup of Nations. He told me he watched the entire final match.”
Thanks to this victory, the Senegal national team will receive a record prize of $10 million from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the highest in the tournament’s history.
It was also announced that additional financial bonuses will be granted to the national team players in recognition of their historic achievement and their winning of Senegal’s second continental title.
Senegal
Senegal is a West African nation known for its rich cultural heritage and history as a center of several pre-colonial empires and later French colonial rule. Its cultural sites include the Island of Gorée, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that memorializes the Atlantic slave trade, and the Saint-Louis historic city center, a former colonial capital. The country is also celebrated for its vibrant music, art, and the influential Sufi brotherhoods that shape its society.
Al-Nassr
Al-Nassr is a professional football club based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, founded in 1955. It is one of the country’s most successful clubs, historically known for its fierce rivalry with Al-Hilal and for winning numerous domestic and continental titles.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo is not a place or cultural site, but a world-renowned Portuguese professional footballer. He is widely considered one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, having won numerous team and individual awards while playing for clubs like Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus.
Africa Cup of Nations
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is the premier international men’s football competition in Africa, first held in 1957. It was founded to unite African nations emerging from colonialism and is organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Morocco
Morocco is a North African country with a rich history shaped by indigenous Amazigh (Berber) cultures, Arab influence from the 7th century, and successive dynasties like the Almoravids and Almohads. Its cultural sites, such as the ancient city of Fez and the Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech, reflect this blend of Arab, Islamic, and Amazigh heritage. The country is also known for its well-preserved medinas, kasbahs, and the strategic port city of Essaouira.
Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium
Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium is a major sports venue in Rabat, Morocco, named after Prince Moulay Abdellah, the brother of King Hassan II. It was originally constructed in 1983 and later renovated to host the 2019 African Games, serving as a key site for football matches and athletic competitions.
Rabat
Rabat is the capital city of Morocco, founded in the 12th century by the Almohad Caliphate as a ribat (fortified monastery). It is now a modern administrative center and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for historic landmarks like the Hassan Tower and the well-preserved Kasbah of the Udayas.
Confederation of African Football
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is the administrative and controlling body for association football in Africa, founded in 1957 in Khartoum, Sudan. It was established to promote and develop the game on the continent, organize major competitions like the Africa Cup of Nations, and represent African interests within FIFA.
