Dakar, Senegal – President George M. Weah admitted that he misses football a lot. The Liberian leader, however, clarified that he ended his football playing career because his time was up.
Report by Jaheim T. Tumu- [email protected]
President Weah was at the continent’s football governing body, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) 2018 awards night that was held in Senegal.
The President, who is an African Football Legend, called time on his international career after Liberia’s campaign in the 2002 African Cup of Nation held in Mali. This was the last Nations Cup that Liberia has ever participated in.
But he later came out of retirement to make a surprise return to international football in a friendly against Nigeria just a few weeks short of his 52nd birthday.
The friendly match was arranged to “retire” the number 14 jersey that was made famous by him during his glittering playing days.
“To be honest with you, it is a beautiful family and I missed it a lot,” President Weah said.
“It is the best thing that ever happened to my life,” he added.
“So I missed it but my time was up and I admired the young guys but I missed it a lot,” the Liberian leader stated.
The football icon is one of Africa’s greatest footballers, enjoying a glittering 13-year spell in Europe. During these years, he played for AS Monaco, Paris Saint Germain, and Marseille in France, AC Milan in Italy and English sides Manchester City and Chelsea.
He was named the 1995 World Player of the year and also the Ballon d’Or in the same year and is yet the only African recipient of the award. President Weah is also the only Liberian to be shortlisted for the African Footballer of the year and winning the accolade on three times as well as being runner-up three times.