When fans ask “are Salah and Mane friends”, they’re digging into one of football’s most talked-about partnerships. On paper, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané formed a dream attacking duo—clinical, fast, lethal. But behind the goals, whispers of tension and rivalry followed them. In this article, CantoKick takes you deep into their relationship, separating legend, and revealing whether that famous front-three chemistry extended into real friendship.
The sparkling on-pitch chemistry
Liverpool’s attacking trident of Salah, Mané, and Roberto Firmino terrorized defenses across England and Europe. In that period:
- Together, they won the UEFA Champions League (2019), Premier League (2020), FA Cup, League Cup and other silverware.
- Their goal combinations and link-ups were legendary—Salah and Mané connected for crucial goals over and over.
- Statistically, Salah provided more assists to Mané than any other teammate, underlining their synergy.
That on-field connection created the illusion of camaraderie. For many fans, the pair seemed inseparable. Yet as years passed, cracks in that portrayal began to show.
What Salah himself has admitted
In a 2025 interview with L’Équipe, Salah finally addressed long-standing rumors. He acknowledged that yes, there was tension between him and Mané during their time together—but insisted professionalism always held firm. He said:
“Off the pitch, we weren’t very close, but we always respected each other.”
He also pushed back on accusations of selfishness—arguing that headlines often oversimplify. Salah pointed out that he was Mané’s top assist provider, and that their mutual respect remained intact., but claimed it never affected the team’s performance. This confession confirms what many insiders have long suspected.
Firmino’s behind-the-scenes revelations
If Salah offers introspection, Roberto Firmino offers context. In his memoir, Firmino describes himself as a firefighter between the two—someone who often intervened when tensions flared. According to Firmino:
- They were never best friends, and it was rare to see them chatting off the pitch.
- Each kept themselves somewhat distant—“each kept himself to himself.”
- But they never cut ties. They did not argue publicly often, and they maintained decorum when it mattered.
One particularly notorious incident occurred in 2019 against Burnley. Mané became visibly angry after being substituted. The spark? Earlier in that game, Salah chose to shoot instead of passing to a free Mané. The public display exposed the undercurrents bubbling between them. Firmino, stuck in the middle, later admitted his role was to defuse the tension, not fan the flames.
Firmino’s narrative is consistent—he never took sides, and always emphasized team success over personal loyalties. His account suggests that while a deep friendship never blossomed, a working mutual respect endured.
Why the tension? Rivalry, ego, and national pride
The relationship between Salah and Mané was complicated by multiple factors:
1. Competitive ego and Golden Boot battles
Both players are ultra-competitive, and on many occasions found themselves vying for top scorer titles or club accolades. That inherently breeds friction when opportunities overlap.
2. The “selfishness” debate
Critics often accused Salah of being overly goal-driven—sometimes bypassing better options in favor of a shot. Some believed that created resentment from Mané. Salah, however, pushes back on that narrative, citing their assist numbers to dispute claims of selfishness.
3. National rivalry
Salah represents Egypt; Mané, Senegal. They have faced off in international tournaments, most notably the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations final—where Senegal edged Egypt in a penalty shootout. That competitive national backdrop may have added an extra layer to their dynamic.
4. Personality differences
Firmino’s accounts suggest their temperaments clashed—Mané was more volatile, more expressive, while Salah was more reserved. Two stars with contrasting emotional styles can struggle to form deep bonds, even when they click on the pitch.
Moments that tested the bond
Here are key moments where the narrative burst into public view:
- Burnley 2019: Salah chose to shoot rather than pass to an unmarked Mané; Mané later exploded on the bench when substituted. That day became a reference point for their rumored feud.
- Bench reactions and body language: On several occasions, teammates and media noted tense glances, muted communication, and silence rather than warmth.
- Transfer and departure era: As Mané’s time at Liverpool drew to a close (moving to Bayern in 2022), rumors heightened. Some speculated he left partly because of strained relationships or unmet expectations in the attacking hierarchy.
Yet despite those moments, there was never a complete rupture. The partnership was never allowed to collapse publicly.
So, are Salah and Mane friends?
The simple answer: no—not in the classic sense of friendship. They were not confidants or regular off-field allies. Their relationship was more professional, respectful, and sometimes distant. But “not friends” doesn’t mean hostility. Between them existed a functional working bond, anchored by shared goals and mutual regard.
🔹 They never cut contact.
🔹 They celebrated together on the pitch.
🔹 They kept divergence off-field and avoided damaging conflicts in public.
So while they weren’t close friends, they weren’t enemies either—just two talented, ambitious individuals whose goals aligned on the pitch, even if their personalities didn’t always.
Final Thoughts
Are Salah and Mane friends? No—they were never best friends, but they never allowed personal differences to dismantle their collaboration. What they shared was a relationship built on professionalism, respect, and a common purpose.
If you want deep dives into any Liverpool-era stories, or want to explore relationships between other iconic duos like Messi & Suarez or Ronaldo & Benzema, CantoKick is here to explore them with you.
