Ex-Liverpool striker Sadio Mane, 31, marries girlfriend, ’19’, in secret ceremony in his native Senegal after first meeting architect’s daughter ‘when she was 16’ and talking of his desire to marry woman who ‘prays well’ and shuns social media

Ex-Liverpool striker Sadio Mane has married his 19-year-old girlfriend Aisha Tamba in a private ceremony in his home country of Senegal.

The wedding is believed to have taken place on January 7 in Keur Massar, an area in the capital city of Dakar, just six days before the start of the Africa Cup of Nations on January 13.

The event was said to be attended by family, friends and fellow footballers.

Reports claim Aisha ‘was long intended for the 31-year-old footballer since her teenage years’ though it is not known exactly how long they have been dating. The legal age of consent in Senegal is 16 years of age.

It was also reported by Pulse Sports that the former Liverpool star had taken care of her bills when she was in school.

Sadio Mane has married his ’19-year-old long-time girlfriend’ Aisha Tamba

The wedding took place in a private ceremony in his home country of Senegal on January 7

Reports claim Aisha ‘was long intended for the 31-year-old footballer since her teenage years’

Sadio Mane kisses the hand of his new bride in a wedding photoshoot

The footballer is seen affectionately fixing his bride’s veil in the wedding photos

The couple holding hands and smiling with a floral background behind them

Initial reports claimed Aisha was 18 years old, but on Tuesday night Senegalese media said she was 19, and from a suburb of the capital Dakar.

The couple share the same religion, Islam, and are both said to be private people. A few of the official wedding photos were shared on @SMane_Officiel, with the caption ‘thanks to God’ written in Arabic.

Pictures of the wedding have been published on Instagram by photography company @Magvision_Evens_Officiel. The photos show Mane and his wife, who grew up in the Casamance area of Senegal and is the daughter of an architect, holding hands and posing after the ceremony.

One image shows the pair sitting below a display of roses, with the words ‘Mrs Mane’ imprinted on the wall.

A video posted on X (formerly Twitter) by @abdullahayofel showed the two smiling and laughing as they sat together on a sofa after their wedding.

It was captioned: ‘A very simple and humble man, congratulations Sadio Mane. May Allah bless your union.’

The wedding photos show Aisha wearing a mermaid-style intricate, fitted, lacey dress, with long sleeves and a silky veil.

Other photos show a second outfit – a silk white top and skirt combo, which she has teamed with a chunky gold necklace and earrings. The bride also has henna on both hands.

Mane is seen wearing traditional Senegalese dress in the pictures.

During his time at Liverpool, Mane had not publicly announced any relationships and had kept Aisha a secret.

Back in 2022, he had however spoken out on the type of person that he would marry.

‘I’ve seen a lot of girls asking me why I am not married, but sorry you might be wasting your time. The woman I marry will not be on social networks,’ Mane said according to Tribune.

‘I want to marry a woman who respects God and prays well. Everyone has their own way of making their choice of love,’ Mane added.

The footballer first spotted Aisha when she was 16 but he did not approach her formally at the time, according to Sports Brief.

However, he reportedly communicated his intentions to his uncle, a friend of the family, which led to their eventual union.

The couple pose together with Aisha affectionately holding Mane’s chin

Aisha is seen wearing gold jewellery in some of the wedding snaps

Mane joined Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr in a deal that will see him earn £650,000-per-week

Since joining the Saudi Pro League side, Mane has scored 12 times in 26 appearances

He provided each family in the village with a monthly €70 support package and offered €400 to the best achieving students at Bambali High School.

Aisha is said to be a student at the Cabis School in Grand Mbao Baobab, Senegal, according to Essentially Sports.

She reportedly speaks Mandingo, a language spoken in parts of Senegal and The Gambia, and which her new husband also speaks.

Aisha is not on social media, and will reportedly remain committed to her studies as Mane kick-starts the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal.

Mane joined Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr in August last year, completing a £34million move from Bayern Munich after a difficult spell with the Bundesliga champions.

His deal with the Pro League side sees him earn £650,000-a-week.

He had moved to Bayern for £35m the year prior, but had struggled to settle in at the Bavarian club, while also reportedly falling out with team-mate Leroy Sane.

Since joining the Saudi Arabian outfit, Mane has scored 12 times in 26 appearances for the club and reportedly returned to Senegal at the start of January to prepare for AFCON.

The news about Mane and his girlfriend came on the same day he was pictured with the Senegalese national side ahead of AFCON

Mane returned to Bambali in Senegal to open the village’s brand-new petrol station in 2022

According to Pulse Sports, he also inaugurated a new stadium in his home town of Bambali earlier this month.

The Al-Nassr forward has been named in the Senegal squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations tournament and is currently in camp with his team mates.

Senegal start their AFCON campaign on Monday January 15 against Gambia, before they take on Cameroon and Guinea.

On Monday, Senegal defeated Niger 1-0 in a friendly, with Mane being an unused substitute for the game.