In a whirlwind of headlines, 18-year-old Aisha Tamba, newlywed to the 31-year-old football sensation Sadio Mane, is making waves with her commitment to staying true to her humble roots despite the fame and fortune that comes with her husband’s success.

Their Islamic arranged marriage, held in Keur Massar near Dakar, Senegal on January 7, has sparked a social media frenzy. Aisha, known for her modest upbringing in Dakar among 30 relatives, is poised to transition to life in Saudi Arabia, where Mane currently plays for Al-Nassr alongside football icon Cristiano Ronaldo.

Speaking through a relative to the Mail Online, Aisha shared, “I am looking forward to my new life, and I know that it will be very different. But I do not feel any pressure because Sadio’s fame and money will not change me. This is not what I’m interested in. I will remain a humble person committed to my faith.”

Expressing her down-to-earth nature and reluctance towards attention, Aisha continued, “I’m not used to having so much attention on me because we are a very private family. We don’t like to show off and speak about our personal lives. I am a very down-to-earth person; this is how I was raised, and nothing will be different just because of this marriage. But I’m very honoured to now be Mrs. Mane.”

Mane, known for his stellar career with Liverpool, winning numerous titles, is currently preparing for the Africa Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast. Aisha met Mane through her father, and despite the whirlwind of change, she plans to continue her academic studies for her baccalaureate before joining Mane later this year.

Her cousin, Amadou, emphasised the family’s values, stating, “As a family, our number one priority is Islam. We are not interested in all the things that people associate with the life of a wealthy footballer. We are very happy that Aisha has married Sadio, but it’s because he’s a humble man, not because he is rich and famous.”

Aisha intends to keep a low profile and prioritise her studies over seeking the limelight, asserting, “I don’t know who she is, and I don’t do any social media,” in reference to Ronaldo’s partner, Georgina Rodriguez. The young bride is set on charting her own path while maintaining the values that define her and her family.