Sadio Mane was discussing building a school in his Senegalese village of Bambali when a look of concern came over him. “Please do not put that in the interview,” he said.

“But why? It sends a positive message,” was the response.

“No, no. I do not do this for publicity,” he insisted.

He could not be persuaded.

That was 12 months ago. The information has since become public so it is no breach of trust to reference what was an estimated contribution of around £200,000. This is not the only act of charity to his country. When recently asked by a colleague what he would do after his football career, he spoke of similar acts of benevolence, including building a hospital.

“The best thing you can do is remember your home town,” he has stated. “They need help and if I can, I do.”