Everton loan star Jack Grealish agrees with what Liverpool hero said amid huge controversy
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations ended on Sunday night in unprecedented fashion.
Host nation Morocco were defeated 1-0 by Senegal at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah stadium in Rabat, in a final that featured scenes the likes of which few football fans will have ever seen before.
After Senegal were disallowed a goal that should’ve stood, just minutes later in added time at the end of the game, Morocco were awarded an highly contentious penalty after Brahim Diaz was adjudged to have been pulled to the ground.
Senegal manager Pape Thiaw instructed his players to leave the pitch in protest, and only after a 15-minute delay did his side return to the pitch, only for Diaz to miss the penalty with a tame chip.
Pape Gueye of Villarreal would then lash home for Senegal in the first few minutes of extra-time, which was enough to crown them champions of Africa.
Jack Grealish responds to heart-warming Sadio Mane message
Everton pair Idrissa Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye started for Senegal against Morocco on Sunday night, with Gueye grabbing the assist for the goal whilst Ndiaye was subbed off after 77 minutes.
Ndiaye has been advised to stay at Everton amid his ongoing success with Senegal and his excellent performances for David Moyes‘ side this season.
Meanwhile, Everton are trying to sign Jack Grealish on a permanent basis, with the Man City loanee having shone at Hill Dickinson Stadium this term.
And away from preparing for Everton’s next game against Leeds next Monday, Grealish has shown his class off the pitch once again through his response to an interview by Senegal and Liverpool legend Sadio Mane.
“First of all, I never want to be recognised after my career as a great football player,” said Mane via BBC Sport, who played the entirety of Senegal’s AFCON final win over Morocco.
“I just want to be recognised as a great, great human. And for me, this is more important for me. Of course, I’ve been known as a football player, but I still want to be known as a human.
“For me, there are plenty, plenty, plenty more things important than football.”
Taking to his Instagram story, Grealish shared the video of Mane’s interview and captioned it with the message: “Exactly what he said.”
Grealish showed why he’s first-class human being with Everton gesture this season
Having been thrust into the public spotlight when still a teenager after bursting through at Aston Villa, Grealish faced a huge level of scrutiny in the earlier years of his career.
Now 30, the England international exemplified just how much of a top human being he is, and why he’s honouring Mane’s words in that interview, in a wonderful gesture in the lead up to Christmas.
Taking time out of his schedule ahead of the Arsenal game on 20 December, Grealish surprised a young fan at a Bootle primary school who had been going through some difficult circumstances in his family life in recent times.
Grealish gifted the young Evertonian with a match-worn shirt and some signed boots, as well as inviting him to the Arsenal game as a mascot.
He’s proven to be a wonderful ambassador for footballers in the community at every football club he’s been with, and it’s no surprise to see why Everton don’t just want to keep the player, but also the human being around.
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