Sadio Mane wins the new Socrates Award for social involvement in football

Sadio Mane (Instagram.com/@francefootball)

Bayern Munich and Senegalese star Sadio Mane on Monday night received France Football's inaugural Socrates Award, in recognition of his charity work in his native Senegal.

The prize is newly created this year and will commemorate the achievements off the field from individuals in football who give back to society and their community in a major way.

Mane, 30, has financed the building of a public hospital worth Sh63million and funded schools worth Sh32million and also donated funds to the Senegalese National Committee to help fight the Covid-19 pandemic.

He has also built a petrol station and 4G fibre optic cables and he gives each family in his home village of Bambali Sh8400 a month in cash.

Upon accepting his award, Mane said: "I am very happy. Sometimes, I can come across a bit shy, but I am happy to do that to make people's lives better at home."

Mane, who is the reigning African Footballer of the Year, was also nominated for the Ballon d'Or.

He scored 23 goals in his final season as a Liverpool player whilst helping Senegal win their maiden Africa Cup of Nations title, and has since produced nine goals and an assist in 16 competitive appearances for Bayern.