Bayern Munich and Senegalese international winger Sadio Mané was, on Monday night, awarded the inaugural Sócrates Prize, as part of the 2022 Ballon D’Or ceremony.
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. Mané has built a hospitals and a school in Bambali in Senegal, where he was born. He has also financed the building of a petrol station and 4G fibre optic cables and he gives each family in the village €70 a month in cash. There are 2,000 inhabitants in Bambali.
Upon accepting his award, Mané had the following to say:
“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.”
