George Tawlon Manneh Oppong Ousman Weah. Also known as George Weah, has had as many occupations as he has names. Apart from being the greatest African footballer of all time. He has also been a politician, presidential candidate, humanitarian and even a switchboard technician.
In a career that spanned twenty-two years George played in France, Italy and England. He won cups in all three nations as well as league titles with AC Milan, and Paris Saint Germain.
The African Legend earned sixty caps for his native Liberia, scoring twenty-two goals along the way.
Weah was born on October 1st 1966 in the West African State of Liberia. He spent his childhood in the Clara Town slums of Monrovia.
It was not an easy childhood, as George described in an interview in 2000: “Your parents couldn’t even get a good meal for you. Growing up was difficult; you have to go on the streets and hustle. It was crazy. There are tribes in Liberia who have all the facilities and don’t let other people make life better for themselves. Through sport, I got the opportunity to go abroad, to make money to help my parents”
Local side Mighty Barrolle were the first club to notice the mercurial talent of the youngster and offered him his first contract in 1985. Despite signing his first contract he was still not secure financially and George worked for a Telecommunications company as a switchboard technician between training and matches.
A year later Weah moved to the fantastically named ‘Invincible Eleven’ and became their stand out man. The striker scored twenty-four goals in just twenty-three games in a title-winning season. This phenomenal season did not go unnoticed by Europe and the Liberian star signed for French Giants Monaco in 1988.
Weah Spent four seasons at Monaco under legendary manager Arsene Wenger. He made one hundred and three appearances scoring an impressive forty-seven goals. In 1991 he won his first piece of European silverware, the French Cup. However things were not always easy for George, who took some time to settle into his new surroundings. But with some help from some unlikely friends he managed to settle in France.
George describes his relationship with a couple of British football legends: “Glenn Hoddle and Mark Hateley were there. They knew I couldn’t speak French, only English, so Glenn came and talked to me, tried to make me feel comfortable. He helped me adapt very fast. It was a good experience but not an easy one. I had just come from Africa and knew nobody. Arsene could speak English which helped.”
Next came a move north to Paris Saint Germain. Weah spent three seasons in the French capital, and added to his growing collection of medals by helping PSG to a league title in 1994, as well as cup wins in ’93 and ’94. An impressive goal tally of seven earned the striker the Champions League golden boot in ’95. His breathtaking displays for the Parisians were drawing attention some of the giants of Europe and Weah made the biggest move of his career to AC Milan in 1995.
During a stellar five seasons with the Rossaneri Weah played one hundred and fourteen times. Scoring forty-six goals. The most memorable of these was a legendary solo effort against Verona in 1996. The Liberian picked up the ball the ball just outside the Milan box, ran the entire length of the San Siro pitch and slotted in the goal.
As George describes, “It was a great goal. Instead of kicking the ball downfield from my own penalty area, I decided to keep the ball and keep the ball and keep the ball. What made it a great goal wasn’t the run, it was a beautiful finish.”
The time he spent in Italy was undoubtedly the peak of his career. As was reflected by the major individual honours he would receive. Weah became the first, and to date the only player to win the FIFA Player of the year. An award he picked up in 1995. More impressive still was the title of European Player of the Year. Weah was and still is the only African to earn the accolade in the fifty-five year history the honour has been awarded.
Following his impressive stint in Serie A George spent a year and a half in England. First a six month loan with Chelsea, where he won the FA cup. Then a season with Manchester City. However Weah soon fell out with City manager Joe Royle. The striker soon became disillusioned at Maine Road; he grew frustrated at the lack of starting appearances he made.
Only starting three games in a season, George left City on a free transfer at the end of the season and returned to the south of France to join Marseille for a season. Weah scored five goals in nineteen games.
Having left France again Weah would end his career in the Arab Gulf. He spent the last to years of his career with Al Jazira FC in the UAE. Despite playing only eight games he scored an impressive thirteen goals.
Weah was awarded the title of the Greatest African Footballer of the Century, as well as being named one of the 125 greatest footballers ever by FIFA. During his career he was named African Footballer of the Year three times.
Since retirement from football Weah has returned to his homeland of Liberia. And has become a Member of Parliament. George ran as a candidate in the 2005 Presidential. Losing to the eventual winner Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. He was made a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, and continues to play a prominent role in Liberian politics.
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