I don't look up to Salah — Liverpool's winger target cites religious reasons for picking Mane as greatest African star

Brighton and Hove Albion winger Yankuba Minteh has sparked controversy after naming his top five African players in Premier League history.

The 22-year-old Gambia international shockingly omitted Liverpool legend Mohamed Salah from his prestigious list entirely, to the befuddlement of even the interviewer. 

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When questioned about the glaring exclusion of the Egyptian, Minteh delivered a remarkably blunt response. "No, I don't look up to him," he stated.

Instead of Salah, Minteh reserved the number one spot for former Southampton and Liverpool star Sadio Mané, who currently plies his trade in the Saudi Pro League.

He highlighted Mané's incredible work ethic and deep religious dedication as the driving forces behind his success, tacitly citing those values as reasons he admires him. 

"And number one will be Mane," Minteh said. "Things look easy for him. The way he worked hard, no matter what you do, if you put hard work there and put God first for everything, it always pays off, and that's what Mane did."

For the remainder of his list, Minteh placed former Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien in second, praising him as an athletic beast who dominated the entire pitch.

Didier Drogba took third place for his heroics in his multiple stints at Chelsea, while Samuel Eto'o ranked fourth for elevating the African flag globally with his prolific finishing.

Current Tottenham playmaker Mohammed Kudus rounded out the top five, earning immense praise for his exceptional ball control and ‘team-first’ mentality.

Minteh's dismissal of Salah is ironic, given the ongoing transfer developments at Anfield. Liverpool are actively trying to sign the Brighton winger, with reports indicating they have already submitted a £50 million bid to secure his services.

The Merseyside club have identified Minteh as the primary candidate to inherit the right-wing position recently vacated by Salah.

After nine historic seasons at Anfield, Salah left the Premier League on a free transfer earlier this summer, joining Turkish giants Trabzonspor ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

Despite Minteh's personal preferences, Salah departed England as undeniably the most prolific African footballer in Premier League history.

The Egyptian amassed a staggering 193 goals across 328 Premier League appearances during his spells with Chelsea and Liverpool.

In comparison, Mané recorded 111 goals in 263 Premier League matches during his own successful stints with Southampton and Liverpool.

While both wingers were instrumental in helping Liverpool capture the 2018/19 UEFA Champions League and the 2019/20 Premier League, Salah's individual scoring records remain entirely unparalleled, and the Egyptian added an extra Premier League title he doesn't share with Mane (2024/25).

As Liverpool continue their pursuit of Minteh ahead of the transfer deadline, the Gambian's comments are guaranteed to offend a sizable portion of the Anfield faithful.