Ronaldo's Call, Mane's Victory: The Phone That Crowned Senegal
20 January 2026
Ronaldo's congratulatory call after the final
Senegal's star Sadio Mane has revealed details of the call he received from Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo, following the Teranga Lions' 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title, won 1-0 over Morocco in Rabat.
Mane, in statements carried by Senegal's Senenews site, said: 'Cristiano Ronaldo called to congratulate me on winning the Africa Cup, and told me he watched the final in full'.
The gesture reflected the mutual respect between the two stars, who share a dressing room at title-winning teams, and highlighted the growing global interest in the Africa Cup of Nations, especially in its latest edition, which drew wide attention from football stars worldwide.
The Senegalese side clinched the title for the second time in its history, beating the Moroccan side by a single goal in the final, a match that captivated fans across Africa and beyond.
Ibrahim Diaz, the Atlas Lions' star and Real Madrid, missed a late penalty in the final minutes of the match, forcing extra time in which Senegal seized the title.
Punchline 1: Ronaldo's call was so timely, it could qualify as a third-half.
Punchline 2: If football is theater, Mane just got a standing ovation from a mobile screen.
