George Weah - The African Football King Turned President

George Weah, born on October 1, 1966, in Monrovia, Liberia, is one of the greatest African footballers of all time. Known for his explosive speed, powerful dribbling, and clinical finishing, Weah was a dominant striker in the 1990s, winning the 1995 Ballon d’Or—making him the first and only African player to achieve this honor. After his football career, he transitioned into politics, eventually becoming the President of Liberia.

Early Life and Career

Weah grew up in poverty in Liberia, playing football on the streets before being discovered by Cameroonian coach Claude Le Roy, who helped him secure a move to AS Monaco in 1988.

Despite coming from a country with little footballing infrastructure, Weah’s natural talent, athleticism, and determination propelled him to become one of the best strikers in the world.

Rise in Europe: AS Monaco & Paris Saint-Germain

At AS Monaco (1988–1992), under Arsène Wenger, Weah developed into a world-class forward, helping Monaco win:
🏆 1 Coupe de France (1990–91)

His performances earned him a move to Paris Saint-Germain in 1992, where he became one of the top strikers in France, winning:
🏆 1 Ligue 1 title (1993–94)
🏆 2 Coupe de France titles (1992–93, 1994–95)
🏆 1 Coupe de la Ligue (1994–95)

Weah was also the top scorer in the 1994–95 UEFA Champions League, showcasing his talent on the European stage.

AC Milan: Ballon d’Or Glory

In 1995, Weah moved to AC Milan, where he became a global superstar. With his blistering pace, strength, and goal-scoring ability, he helped Milan dominate Serie A.

With AC Milan, he won:
🏆 2 Serie A titles (1995–96, 1998–99)

During this period, he achieved his greatest individual honor, winning the 1995 Ballon d’Or, making him:
✅ The first and only African player to win the Ballon d’Or
✅ FIFA World Player of the Year (1995)
✅ African Player of the Century (1996, IFFHS Award)

One of his most famous goals came against Hellas Verona in 1996, where he dribbled from his own penalty box, beating multiple defenders before scoring—a goal regarded as one of the greatest in Serie A history.

Later Career: Chelsea & Manchester City

After leaving AC Milan, Weah had brief spells at:

Chelsea (1999–2000) – 🏆 Won the FA Cup (1999–2000)
Manchester City (2000)
Olympique de Marseille (2000–2001)
Al Jazira (2001–2003) – Ended his career in the UAE.

Despite his later career moves, Weah’s legacy was already cemented as one of the greatest African players of all time.

Liberia National Team: A Lone Star Leader

Despite being a world-class player, Weah’s biggest challenge was carrying Liberia’s national team almost single-handedly. He played 75 games for his country, scoring 18 goals, but due to lack of footballing infrastructure, Liberia never had a strong enough team to compete at the highest level.

🌍 He personally funded the team, paying for travel and accommodation during tournaments.
🏆 Led Liberia to two Africa Cup of Nations (1996, 2002)

His dedication to his national team was unmatched, but Liberia never qualified for a FIFA World Cup.

Playing Style and Legacy

✅ A complete striker – Fast, strong, skillful, and deadly in front of goal.
✅ One of the best dribblers and solo goal-scorers of his time.
✅ A symbol of African excellence in football.
✅ Inspired future African stars like Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto’o.

Weah’s journey from poverty to football greatness made him one of the most inspirational athletes in history.

Post-Football Career: From Football King to President

After retiring, Weah transitioned into politics to help rebuild Liberia, which had been devastated by civil war.

✅ 2005 – Ran for Liberian presidency but lost.
✅ 2014 – Elected as Senator of Liberia.
✅ 2017 – Won the Presidential election, becoming President of Liberia in 2018.

His journey from football legend to head of state is one of the most remarkable success stories in sports history.

Teams Played For

AS Monaco (1988–1992)
Paris Saint-Germain (1992–1995)
AC Milan (1995–1999)
Chelsea (1999–2000)
Manchester City (2000)
Olympique de Marseille (2000–2001)
Al Jazira (2001–2003)

Legacy

✅ First and only African player to win the Ballon d’Or (1995)
✅ One of AC Milan’s greatest strikers
✅ A hero for African football
✅ Became President of Liberia in 2018

George Weah’s impact goes far beyond football—he is a symbol of perseverance, greatness, and leadership. His legacy as both a football legend and political leader makes him one of the most influential sports figures in history.