Liberian football legend, George Weah has revealed what his former manager at Monaco, Arsene Wenger did for him while he played for the club.
Weah is thankful to the Frenchman for helping him to flourish in Europe.
Wenger brought Weah to Europe when he signed him for Monaco from Tonnerre Yaoundé in 1988.
The ex-Liberian international later played for Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan, Chelsea and Manchester City and later returned to France with Marseille.
He won the Ballon d’Or, making him the only African to win the prize.
He also won the UEFA Champions League Top Scorer award, Coupe de France, Ligue1, Coupe de la Ligue, Serie A title, English FA Cup among others.
In all this, Weah appreciated the French tactician for helping him to surpass his own expectations.
Speaking in an interview with the Guardian UK, he said, “When I started playing football, I never thought I would ever win the Ballon d’Or and emerge as the best player in the world.
“I just had a passion for the game and I worked hard. Every day, I would rather train than eat or sleep.
“When I moved to Monte Carlo [to play for Monaco from the Cameroonian club Tonnerre Yaoundé in 1988] I didn’t play for the first six months. But I was determined to showcase my talent, to prove to those back home, who thought that my coming to Europe was a waste of time, that I was a good player.
“He (Wenger) was a father figure and regarded me as his son. This was a man, when racism was at its peak, who showed me love. He wanted me to be on the pitch for him every day.
“One day, I was quite tired of training and told him that I was having a headache.
“He said to me: ‘George, I know it’s tough but you need to work hard. I believe that with your talent, you can become one of the best players in the world.’
“So I listened and kept going on. Besides God, I think that without Arsène, there was no way I would have made it in Europe.”
Source: Dailypost.ng
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. |
Thank you president Weah for acknowledging GOD. Truly, truly, the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, gives it to whomever He will, and sets over it the lowest of men. Daniel 4:17
A VERY MOVING STORY.I AM PROUD OF YOU MY BROTHER GEORGE WEAH FOR WHAT YOU HAVE ACHIEVED ON AND OFF THE FIELD AND FOR SHOWING GRATITUDE TO A GOOD AND POSITIVE THINKING MAN LIKE ARSENE WENGER WHO BELIEVES IN AFRIKAN PLAYERS AND RESPECT AND SUPPORT THEM.I WISH TO LIVE TO SEE THE DAY WHEN THE INTERACTIONS AND RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AFRIKANS AND EUROPEANS AND BETWEEN BLACKS AND WHITES EVERYWHERE WILL BECOME LIKE THAT OF GEORGE WEAH AND ARSENE WENGER BASED ON GENUINE LOVE, RESPECT, APPRECIATION, UNDERSTANDING, AND SUPPORTIVE BASED ON THE PHILOSOPHY OF UBUNTU.AND BROTHER WEAH I WISH YOU VERY MUCH SUCCESS AS A LEADER AND PRESIDENT OF LIBERIA BECAUSE YOU MORE THAN DESERVE IT.
please show that you are exceptional African leader who can rule without stea- ling funds from the poor African country. look at John Mahama of Ghana and shy away from such an administration. he brought not only darkness through out the country but extreme poverty, increasing the country's debt to about 70% of GDP and steal want to be a president. even as a talk, the NPP government is also shying away from prosecuting corrupt members in his administration. Congratulations on your election and i wish you all the best.
God bless you for how far you have come.Please continue to make the word of the Lord standard in your life
God bless you for acknowledging him.You are not an ungrateful people. May God grant you the grace and wisdom to be able to serve your people effectively.