Senegal head coach Patrick Vieira has explained the absence of captain and talisman Sadio Mané from the national team squad, revealing that the Al Nassr forward requested permission to remain with his family ahead of an expected new addition.

Vieira disclosed that he personally spoke with the former Liverpool and Bayern Munich star, who had received a call-up for Senegal’s upcoming fixtures but expressed his desire to stay at home to support his family during this special period.

“I spoke to Sadio on the phone. He received the call-up. However, Sadio wanted to stay with his family because he is expecting a new addition to the family. His wish was to remain close to his family, and I respected his decision,” Vieira explained.

Mané remains one of Senegal’s most influential figures, having played a pivotal role in the country’s historic Africa Cup of Nations triumph in 2021. His absence will be notable, but Vieira’s explanation makes clear that the decision was based on the player’s personal family circumstances rather than a technical or disciplinary issue.