The Goal.com article claims Sadio Mane was urged to reverse a retirement decision on the verge of the AFCON final. This headline is largely misleading and sensationalized. Sadio Mane, the Senegalese football star, recently guided his national team to victory in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final on January 18, 2026, where they defeated Morocco. Following this triumph, Mane stated his intention to retire from international football *after* the 2026 FIFA World Cup, not immediately after the AFCON final. This key distinction is misrepresented in the original article's headline, which implies an immediate retirement that needed reversing. However, the core claim that he is being urged to continue is accurate. Senegal's coach, Pape Thiaw, and others have indeed appealed to Mane to prolong his international career beyond his stated plan for 2026. Thiaw expressed strong sentiments, stating that the country does not agree with Mane's decision and that he represents 'Africa and the world,' emphasizing his importance not just to Senegal but to the continent. This plea from the coach came in the aftermath of Senegal's AFCON victory. The events reported, concerning Mane's future retirement plans and the coach's reaction, are widely corroborated by multiple credible sports news outlets, including beIN SPORTS and The Mirror, with articles published around January 18-19, 2026. The original headline's phrasing exaggerates the immediacy of Mane's retirement, turning a future intention into an active decision requiring immediate reversal.