Returning hero Weah leaves rivals trailing
Oct 14, 2005
LONDON - In September 1996 George Weah scored one of the greatest goals seen on a football pitch, an improbable dribble from one end of the pitch to the other before coolly slotting the ball past Verona's goalkeeper.
LONDON - In September 1996 George Weah scored one of the greatest goals seen on a football pitch, an improbable dribble from one end of the pitch to the other before coolly slotting the ball past Verona's goalkeeper.
Now, Africa's greatest footballer again threatens to leave his opponents trailing in his wake, completing a remarkable journey from a childhood in the slums of Monrovia to president of war-ravaged Liberia.
Should he win, the 39-year-old millionaire will face a daunting task trying to rebuild the shattered West African country. But ‘King George’, as he is affectionately known, is used to winning tough battles.
Three times he was voted Africa's Player of the Year. At the peak of his powers in 1995 he was crowned World and European Player of the Year.
In 1998 journalists from around the world judged him African Player of the Century.
Whenever Weah returned home he was treated like royalty with thousands greeting him on the streets. In short, Weah put a smile on the faces of ordinary Liberians and offered hope amid the bombs and bullets.
Despite never playing at the World Cup with Liberia, Weah was fiercely proud to play for the national team, something he did on 45 occasions.
Even before he hung up his boots he worked as Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF and supported HIV/AIDS and educational programmes in Liberia and Ghana, earning praise from the likes of Nelson Mandela.
Weah's decision to run for president met with cynicsm from his political opponents who cited his lack of formal education, but his message has been as direct and powerful as his football.
“Our hopes have been shattered by bullets and greed,†Weah's message reads on his official website. “But we can rise as people...I call on all Liberians to exhaust the fullness of their potential.â€
Now, Africa's greatest footballer again threatens to leave his opponents trailing in his wake, completing a remarkable journey from a childhood in the slums of Monrovia to president of war-ravaged Liberia.
Should he win, the 39-year-old millionaire will face a daunting task trying to rebuild the shattered West African country. But ‘King George’, as he is affectionately known, is used to winning tough battles.
Three times he was voted Africa's Player of the Year. At the peak of his powers in 1995 he was crowned World and European Player of the Year.
In 1998 journalists from around the world judged him African Player of the Century.
Whenever Weah returned home he was treated like royalty with thousands greeting him on the streets. In short, Weah put a smile on the faces of ordinary Liberians and offered hope amid the bombs and bullets.
Despite never playing at the World Cup with Liberia, Weah was fiercely proud to play for the national team, something he did on 45 occasions.
Even before he hung up his boots he worked as Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF and supported HIV/AIDS and educational programmes in Liberia and Ghana, earning praise from the likes of Nelson Mandela.
Weah's decision to run for president met with cynicsm from his political opponents who cited his lack of formal education, but his message has been as direct and powerful as his football.
“Our hopes have been shattered by bullets and greed,†Weah's message reads on his official website. “But we can rise as people...I call on all Liberians to exhaust the fullness of their potential.â€