Liberian football legend, George Weah has revealed that former manager at Monaco, Arsene Wenger helped to shape his career.
Recall that Wenger, who is with Arsenal signed Weah to Europe 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 was the only African player to have won the Ballon d’Or
He also won the UEFA Champions League Top Scorer award, Coupe de France, Ligue1, Coupe de la Ligue, Serie A title, English FA Cup.
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.”
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