Sadio Mané opens up on how he “cried like a baby” when he left his first professional club

Sadio Mané has shed light on how he was left emotionally drained after he exited French club, FC Metz, a decade ago.

Mané joined Metz, then in Ligue 2, from Génération Foot – in his native Senegal – back in 2011 on a free transfer.

However, the 30-year-old forward was on the move within a year after his meteoric rise gained the interest of Austrian top-flight outfit RB Salzburg.

Taking a trip down memory lane, Mane, who currently plies his trade in Germany for Bayern Munich, recollected his move from France to Austria.

“It was a difficult time for the club because they were getting relegated, but I wanted to stay because Metz was my first professional club. I didn’t really see myself elsewhere. I wanted to go back up with the team,” he said as quoted by Get French Football News.

“I remember when the Austrian club made an offer. Bernard Serin [Metz president] said “no, if you want him, you have to pay €4m,” because he didn’t think that a National player was worth that price.

“They [RB Salzburg] came back and offered €4m. I didn’t want to leave, But I had to. I was told that I had to. I cried. I remember it as if it was yesterday.

“I cried like a kid because I had to go to Austria. I didn’t know the language, I didn’t know anyone. Metz was my second home. In the end, it was difficult, but I accepted going to Salzburg,” he continued.

Sadio Mane explains the reason behind his initial struggles at Bayern

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Sadio Mané has lifted the lid on his recent dip in form at Bayern Munich.

Mané brought his six-year spell with Liverpool to a sudden end this summer when he penned a three-year deal with Bundesliga heavyweights Bayern.