Former Liverpool star Sadio Mane, 32, reveals how many children he wants to have, a year on from marrying his wife when she was just 18

Former Liverpool star Sadio Mane has revealed how many children he would like to have with his wife Aisha Tamba. 

Mane, who plays for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, married Tamba in an Islamic ceremony on January 7 2024 in Keur Massar, a suburb in the capital city of Dakar.

Aisha was 18 years old when the marriage took place, having met the Senegal international two years earlier through family connections.

Much has been made of the age gap between the couple given Mane was 31 years old when tying the knot with Tamba. 

However, Tamba’s parents were nothing but supportive of the union – calling Mane a ‘good person’ who comes from a ‘humble family’. 

A year on from their wedding, Mane has revealed he would like to have three or four children with his wife.

Mane, who plays for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr , married Tamba in an Islamic ceremony on January 7 2024 in Keur Massar, a suburb in the capital city of Dakar

Speaking to Senepeopleplus, Mane said: ‘Funny question. If it is just a choice, I would say 3 or 4. Except that it is God who decides and I will thank Him no matter what.’

When asked whether he would be open to have more children – specifically seven or eight – Mane laughed before saying ‘maybe, you never know’.

The 32-year-old star went on to add: ‘Whatever the number is, I will accept it. I am leaning more towards 3 or 4 and we will see about the rest.’

Mane is believed to have first met Tamba when she was aged 16, with her father revealing the star first set eyes on her ‘more than two years’ before the wedding. 

Tamba’s father said: ‘My wife and Aisha visited their (Mane’s) family one day, and this is where he met her for the first time.

‘He [Mane] probably saw something special in her and his parents appreciated her as well. They came to see me. 

We discussed as per the tradition, agreed on everything and waited for this day to happen. They were not dating because Aisha was still young.’

Her father did not give a precise date of when he first spoke to Aisha about marrying Mane but said he was never in doubt that she would not accept. 

According to reports, the marriage was agreed while she was still at school with the decision reached to wait until she reached 18 so that she could finish her studies. 

Mane had reportedly been funding Aisha’s education at the all-girls Cabis school in Mbao, a town on the outskirts of Dakar. 

Aisha’s reportedly obtained her diploma with a passable distinction, with Mane and her father congratulating her on her success. 

Senenews reported that Aisha is now considering moving into higher education having obtained her baccalaureate. 

Mane and his new wife are both originally from the Casmance region of Senegal, which is in the south of the country and around 275 miles from Dakar. 

The pair belong to the same Sosse ethnic group, they speak the same native language and they share the same values.