Sadio Mane claimed his mum and uncle 'wanted him to marry a 14-year-old girl' in 2019 interview as ex-Liverpool star ties the knot with girlfriend Aisha Tamba, 19, ahead of AFCON

The Senegal international has now tied the knot, with it revealed that the 31-year-old forward married 19-year-old partner Aisha Tamba at a ceremony in their homeland. That wedding is said to have taken place on January 7 in Keur Massar, with reports claiming that Aisha was “long intended for the footballer since her teenage years”. It has also been claimed that Mane took care of Aisha’s bills when she was in school.

Comments from several years ago have now resurfaced, in which Mane tells Orange Senegal of family plans to couple him up: “No, in fact I wanted to get married but you know that marriage is a bit complicated. I would have liked to get married, but you know that with parents also, that's another thing, they are complicated. I remember one day, my mum and my uncle wanted me to marry [as it is done in the villages] a 14-year-old girl. [Calling to someone off camera] Idy, it was 14 right? I believe that she will be 15 this year but I had refused. But no worries, if I find my soul mate, I will get married straight away.”

Mane and his new bride have posted pictures of their wedding on social media. Aisha, who is the daugher of an architect, can be seen holding hands with her husband while standing in front of a display of roses with the words “Mrs Mane” imprinted on the wall.

Mane, who is now readying himself for the start of the Africa Cup of Nations tournament in the Ivory Coast, is currently playing his club football alongside five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo at Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Nassr.