But over the next month, they are brothers in arms as they look to bring continental cutlery to their native Senegal for the second time in the country’s history.
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We are talking, of course, about Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly and Sadio Mane, who play for their clubs in Al Ahli, Al Hilal and Al Nassr respectively, three of the four best teams in the race for the RSL title this season.
Of course, they really aren’t. enemies in the true sense of the word, although in the context of the RSL, the trio is divided into opposing lines.
However, his connection with his compatriots is deeply rooted in his exploits with the Senegalese national team, which includes lifting the country’s only African Cup of Nations (AFCON) crown together.
That was repeated in the 2021 edition, which due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was actually played in 2022. There, in Cameroon, Mendy, Koulibaly and Mane played a starring role as Senegal defeated Egypt on penalties to reign supreme on their continent for the first time.
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Both Koulibaly and Mané scored in the penalty shootout, while Mendy stood out with a great penalty save that tipped the sudden death duel in Senegal’s favor.
Mane later explained exactly what the win meant.
“It’s the best day of my life and the best trophy of my life,” the Al Nassr forward, then at Liverpool, said afterwards. “I won the (UEFA) Champions League and some (other) trophies, but this one is special for me. This is more important for me.”
Four years later, a Senegal team still led by Mane, Koulibaly and Mendy is back to do it all again as they open their AFCON 2025 Group D account in Morocco on Tuesday, against Botswana.
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Given the success of 2021 and the talent-rich group led by the celebrated RSL trio, Senegal enters as one of the favorites to win the tournament.
While many things have changed since that famous night in Yaoundé, including where his club’s football now plays, many things remain the same. Especially, undoubtedly, his importance to the national team, which has also qualified for next year’s 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Yes, they may be four years older, but their form at club level is such that you would hardly notice. Koulibaly and Mane, with Al Hilal and Al Nassr respectively, are locked in a fierce battle at the top of the table, with only four points separating the two teams after nine rounds.
Mane’s Al Nassr, chasing their first top-flight title in seven seasons, are leading, with the league’s only 100 per cent record.
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While Al Ahli is four points further back, fourth and with 25 rounds left, they cannot be ruled out. And, with the second best defensive balance in the league (six goals conceded), they have in Mendy one of the best goalkeepers in the division.
Without a doubt, the former Chelsea stopper represents one of the RSL’s most consistent men between the sticks in recent seasons, with 32 clean sheets in 70 league appearances.
Added to that, Mendy landed in Morocco already on top after securing his long-term future with Al Ahli last week, signing for two more seasons until 2028.
“This club, this project, this ambition mean a lot to me,” he shared on social media. “I am proud to be part of this family and represent these colors. Thank you to the management, the staff, my teammates and the fans for the trust from day one.”
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Meanwhile, his Al Hilal counterpart Koulibaly captained Senegal four years ago when they lifted the AFCON crown, and is captain again from the heart of the defence. That was never really in doubt considering his performances for Al Hilal this season have been exceptional.
Koulibaly’s leadership, both on and off the pitch, has been invaluable as the 2023-24 RSL champions remain unbeaten in all competitions this campaign.
While his Al Hilal will be able to keep pace or even catch up, Mane’s Al Nassr team remains to be seen. The yellow half of Riyadh have set a blistering pace to start the season, with a perfect nine wins in nine games.
Mane remains a crucial cog in their attack, but the incorporation of Joao Félix has left him free to share the scoring load not only with the irrepressible Cristiano Ronaldo. With three goals and four assists in the RSL this season, there is no doubting Mane’s continued importance to Al Nassr.
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What is unknown is what impact the absence of Senegal’s stars will have on their respective clubs when the RSL resumes this week after a month-long break for the 2025 FIFA Arab Cup.
Mane’s Al Nassr will play Al Ahli and Al Hilal during the AFCON tournament, matches that should play a decisive role in the outcome of this season’s title race. None of the three will be available unless Senegal makes a surprising early exit in Morocco.
One would imagine that, somewhere in Tangier, Mane and his RSL teammates would be huddled around their phones or a television watching those competitions unfold, divided again into club lines for 90 minutes, with banter flowing back and forth.
While those club loyalties are important, over the next month there is an even bigger loyalty that takes priority: that of their country.