Sadio Mane has played down the suggestion he has a poor relationship with Mohamed Salah, insisting there is no rivalry that exists with his former Liverpool team-mate.
Mane left Liverpool this summer to pursue a new chapter at Bayern Munich, having spent six successful years at Anfield. The Senegalese star formed a devastating partnership with Salah, as well as Roberto Firmino, though some believe the former Southampton man never received the same level of praise as his counterparts.
Claiming the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this summer as well as helping his home national qualify for the World Cup, both of which occurred at the expense of Salah and Egypt, has resulted in Mane being voted the 2022 African Player of the Year ahead of Liverpool's No.11 and Chelsea's Edouard Mendy.
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Mane may now have the chance to become Bayern's main man following the departure of Robert Lewandowski, a role Salah will also take on this campaign. Although no longer on the same side, Mane has admitted he remains in contact with his former colleague and refuted claims the duo never saw eye-to-eye during their time together on Merseyside.
"People sometimes say there's a rivalry between me and [Salah], but you know I don't see myself having a rivalry with any player to be honest," Mane told GOAL. "We have good relations, we text each other. I think the media always try to [aggravate] things."
The 30-year-old added: "You know I don't just have [relationships] with one player, but with every player I've played with in the world. You can ask whoever you want in the club, or wherever I go. I have good relationships with all players."
Mane's Bayern career got off to a strong start against DC United on Thursday, scoring from the penalty spot five minutes into this pre-season friendly before setting up a Serge Gnabry goal later on in the first half.
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