Mane has won the Champions League, the Premier League, the FIFA Club World Cup and the EFL Cup at Liverpool, and has been part of one of the best teams in the world in the last five years.
The forward tasted international success earlier this year when he inspired Senegal to win the Africa Cup of Nations, beating Mohamed Salah’s Egypt in the final.
Azankpo, who is one of Mane’s closest friends, insisted that winning the tournament with Senegal meant the world to the forward and believes it was more important than any other trophies he won at Liverpool.
He stressed the importance of Senegal for the Liverpool attacker and claimed that breaking into the Under-21 side in 2012 was one of the happiest days in Mane’s career.
Azankpo told French sports daily L’Equipe: “This coronation made him happier than all the trophies that he was able to win with his club.
“You can’t imagine how much Sadio loves his country.
“In 2012, the day he was selected for the Senegal Under-21s for the first time, he was overjoyed.”
Mane is expected to play a massive part as Liverpool look to hunt down Manchester City in the Premier League title race this season.
