Liverpool star on verge of history, could break 60-year international record

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It’s an argument that has followed Liverpool superstar Sadio Mane around like a bad smell during almost a decade in the Senegal national team.

Why does the hotshot struggle to replicate his often outstanding club form when donning the colours of his country? It’s a question without an obvious answer.

Perhaps Mane simply elevates his game, naturally so, when sharing a pitch with Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino or Diogo Jota.

Perhaps, when representing Les Lions, he feels under pressure to do it all himself, to be the main man in a side that, while hardly short of talent, lacks the truly elite-level quality Jurgen Klopp can call on at Anfield.

Mane was on the losing side as Senegal were beaten by Algeria in the 2019 African Cup of Nations final.

One year earlier, the West African nation was sent packing from the World Cup in the group stage, going out not via points or goals scored but on the so-called ‘fair play’ ruling.

Liverpool star Sadio Mane looking to make history with Senegal

Either way, with Mane about to write his name in indelible ink in the history books, his critics will soon have to eat their words, served alongside a hearty slice of humble pie.

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A well-taken penalty in yesterday’s 3-1 World Cup qualification victory in Congo means the former Southampton winger is now within touching distance of becoming the highest all-time goalscorer in 60 years of the Senegalese national team.

What’s more, Mane should reach the milestone of 30 goals far quicker than the current record-holder – former Wigan, Wolves and Celtic striker Henri Camara.

Camara played 99 games for his country. Mane, as of today, has 77 caps.

“I pray Sadio Mane exceeds my record,” Camara said in July, via SeneNews.

“I think he’s the only one who can do it – I pray for him. He is a player who motivates everyone. If Sadio Mane beat my record, it would be a victory for me – because he would have deserved it.”