Liverpool winger Sadio Mane has been described by Senegal head coach Aliou Cisse as “one of the best” players in the world.
The Lions of Teranga will play their first World Cup match since 2002 when Mane and his compatriots face Poland in Moscow on Tuesday.
Mane has scored 33 goals in the two seasons since moving to Anfield for £34m from Southampton, firmly establishing himself as a fan favourite at Anfield.
“Mane is unique and cannot be compared to any other Senegal player,” Cisse told BBC Sport. “He can make the difference.
“He’s already one of the best – you can’t say he’s not. He plays for one of the most iconic clubs, one of the best in Europe, and he’s top-notch for them.
“He’s absolutely unique because he is so unpredictable, that’s what makes him great.
“Senegal isn’t only Sadio Mane, though, he has a good team built around him and I think it should be a little plus for him that we’re all behind him.”
Mane made his Senegal debut in 2012 and has won 51 caps for his nation so far, scoring 14 times.