MANIK MANE spends his time touring the globe translating for some of the world’s biggest football superstars.
The Rangers-daft interpreter has met so many of them now that he’s no longer fazed when rubbing shoulders with the sport‘s elite.
Not many players leave him starstruck.
But that quickly changed when he met one of his Ibrox heroes this week.
The Portuguese-born 30-year-old works as a freelancer who specialises in his native tongue as well as English, French, Spanish, Crioulo, and is in the process of learning German.
He studied languages in his homeland before later moving to France, Belgium and Spain to enhance his skills.
Now living in Leeds after doing a translating and interpreting degree at the University of Salford and masters at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Manik loves living in the UK.
And that’s not just because he’s closer to his beloved Ibrox.
Manik has been a fully-fledged Rangers fan for some time now, but his love for the club didn’t start when he was in Scotland.
He instead became a supporter after his life turned upside down while working at a press conference for Rangers’ Europa League showdown with Braga in 2020.
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Asked if he became a supporter when studying in Edinburgh, he told SunSport: “At that point I did like them. I knew all about them since I was a kid and some of my favourite players played there.
“I used to love Nuno Capucho and after that there was Pedro Mendes, who is from my city, Guimaraes.
“I followed Rangers but not as a fan, I’m not going to lie. I liked the club and there’s always a great atmosphere at Ibrox.
“But it all started when they played Braga.”
It’s fair to say it was a life-changing moment for the rather inexperienced interpreter at the time.
He sat alongside then Gers boss Steven Gerrard and Light Blues hero Allan McGregor in the press room and translated for them as they gave their thoughts ahead of the last-32 clash.
But while attention was on the Light Blues pair, the spotlight turned on Manik and he became the main talking point instead.
And it was all because of the outfit he chose to wear.
Sporting his suave sunglasses and a colourful stripy shirt, those watching on flocked to social media to complement his flamboyant fashion and he was dubbed the most “swag” translator around.
He went viral from that moment and his life has never been the same since.
Manik said: “I’ve always liked to dress to impress. It was the same for school and university. At that particular time, I was coming straight from Africa.
“I had the press conference and it was very cold compared to the 40 degrees I experienced in Guinea-Bissau.
“I was in a rush and I took this colourful shirt which I used to wear at nightclubs many times in Shanghai and Edinburgh – why not!
“I also had an eye infection because of the sand and I had to wear big black glasses. With that and the jumper, I had a very different look – not one you would usually see a translator or journalist wear!
“My eyes were so sore that I couldn’t even open them.
“My phone died during my shift and when I turned it on when I got home, all the notifications went crazy.
“So many articles were written about me, and for 36 hours my phone went nonstop. I was one of the most spoken about people in Portugal at that time. I went viral!
“From that moment, I decided any time I went to a press conference, I needed to shine. I needed to be colourful, this was going to be my new identity.
“It has been great for my career.”
Manik is usually called on by Uefa whenever a Portuguese side face a team from the UK due to his particular language skills.
So when Rangers drew Benfica in the Europa League last-16 draw, he was over the moon to represent at Ibrox again.
And even more so when he realised he would get the chance to work alongside Gers skipper James Tavernier for the first time.
“It was crazy!”, he said.
“Obviously I’m now used to seeing big stars but I remember being too shy during my first few games. That doesn’t happen anymore.
“I’ve translated for huge clubs like Real Madrid and PSG but speaking to James Tavernier was above average.
“I was so happy to see him but I couldn’t express how happy I was as I had to be professional.
“He left straight afterwards to take photos so I didn’t have the chance to connect with him and express my admiration but hopefully I will get the chance in the future.”
The 30-year-old is now one of Rangers’ biggest fans and follows them from all over the world.
He even takes his prized possession – a 55 title shirt which celebrates their 2020/21 Premiership triumph – with him any time he goes abroad and poses for pictures with it for social media.
Manik added: “It’s a way to thank Rangers fans for everything they do for me. The way they flood my Instagram and all my social media channels.
“They always tell me if I’m ever in Glasgow then I can stay at their place and ask to meet me. For me, it’s amazing because I don’t work for Rangers but I’m always supported.
“So whenever I’m abroad I like to take a piece of the team with me to remind me of how much the Rangers family means to me.
“I once saw a street vendor in Ivory Coast with a Rangers top! I thought it was unbelievable. I had to approach him and talk to him about the club. Rangers are omnipresent.”
While working at the AFCON earlier this year, Manik wore the shirt and bumped into Ibrox legend Basile Boli.
They stopped for a chat about all things Rangers and it was clear to see the Ivorian icon still holds the club in high regard.
But he wasn’t the only former Rangers player he met.
He said: “I was just walking to my hotel and he shouted over to me and said ‘That’s my club! I support Rangers’.
I thought ‘No way!’ and we chatted and he told me how he played for them and was a big player for Marseille.
“He was happy to see me and he told me that he had a wonderful time at Ibrox and how the fans are sublime. He only said good things about Rangers and I love it when people recognise them as a worldwide club.
“I did see El Hadji Diouf as well but he was busy because he’s a superstar. I just took a picture and thanked him for everything he did in football.”
Manik doesn’t just work in football.
He spent time in Dubai last year working at Cop 28 and is now looking to extend his horizons and feature at the Olympics in Paris this summer.
He believes he is now ready for the challenge and has urged the Olympic committee to make changes to their selection process to allow him and his colleagues to play their part.
Manik continued: “For this year, I really want to get to the Olympic Games. It’s a competition that has always fascinated me.
“I now believe that I’m more than ready to be a part of the roster. However, I’m not happy with the selection process.
“They’re not testing people and I believe they should give other people a chance.
“At the Olympics, we see athletes from all walks of life so I believe the selection process for interpreters should also be open for anyone.
“I noticed some restrictions and my colleagues say the same.
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“I want to raise awareness and ask the selection committee to make a change because I believe I would be an asset with the experience I have.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
