Sadio Mane's father was the imam of the mosque in Bambali, the Senegalese village where he grew up and was unconvinced about his son's dreams to be a footballer.
His father thought it would change him for the worse, possibly make him more worldly.
He really need not have worried. There probably isn't a footballer on the planet less in search of the limelight than Mane. Certainly there is unlikely to be one as good as Mane who is quite so reluctant to make a fuss about himself.
Senegal star Sadio Mane, pictured on Wednesday, has been Liverpool's main man recently
On Wednesday in Munich, he scored two wonderful goals, his 10th goal in as many games. The first, when he sensed the foolishness of Manuel Neuer rushing from his line, then dummied him before calmly lifting the ball over him and assorted defenders, was a delight.
'It was a really nice goal,' he says, with that shy grin. That's as close to ego as he will venture.
He had to be coerced into TV interviews that night. By the time he emerged into the tunnel area at Allianz Arena, it was so late, almost all the media had left.
As he speaks, he bows his head, making only occasional eye contact and looks as though he still wonders what all the fuss is about.
Most strikers have a selfish streak, he is told, and he looks incredulous. 'I think this is not important for the team,' he says. 'We are not here to be conquerors. I think it doesn't help the team. For us the team is more important all the time.
'We are trying to play together and help each other to score goals. And move forward to win something.'
'It was a really nice goal,' Mane said after embarrassing Bayern Munich keeper Manuel Neuer
Of course, Sunday can be a significant step forward in that respect. Win against Fulham and Liverpool will enter the international break top of the Premier League, two points clear of Manchester City, who were distracted by FA Cup action on Saturday. Mane will be crucial to Liverpool in the final eight Premier League games, as well as the Champions League campaign.
Sadio Mane's second goal against Bayern Munich was his 10th in his last 10 games for Liverpool.
At present, he is only one goal behind Mohamed Salah, on 19 for the season, after scoring 20 last year.
And since Salah has struggled for goalscoring form, with a run of six games without a goal, Mane has picked up the slack.
Of course, the interaction between the pair and Roberto Firmino is the key to this Liverpool team, as was demonstrated by the sublime cross from Salah for Mane for the second in Munich. Yet for now it is Mane who picks up the scoring mantle.
'We
