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Liberian President George Weah.Author U.S. Embassy in Monrovia, Liberia.

Top 10 Fascinating Facts about George Weah

George Tawlon Manneh Oppong Ousman Weah who is popularly known as George Weah has been the incumbent president of Liberia since 2018 and is a former professional football player. Weah was born on 1st October 1958 in the Clara Town district of Monrovia. He originates from the Kru ethnic group that hails from Liberia’s poorest areas.

William T. Weah Sr., his father was a mechanic and his mother, Ann Quayeweah was a seller. George Weah has three brothers, William, Moses, and Wolo. Weah began his football career in the Liberian local leagues and later earned his move to Europe where he played for several top teams.

After retiring from his football career, George Weah served as the Montserrado County Senator. He was later elected as the president of Liberia and has been in office since 2018. George Weah is the first African former professional soccer player who became a head of state after retiring. His son, Timothy Weah is also a professional football player.

Here are the Top 10 Fascinating Facts about George Weah:

1. Weah began Playing Football at the age of 15

George Weah.Unknown author.

George Weah was raised by his paternal grandmother after his parents separated when he was still a baby. He enrolled at Muslim Congress for middle school and later stuff died at Wells High School where he dropped out during his final year.

Even though George Weah dropped from high school, he had a big dream of utilizing his football talent. Weah began Playing football for the Young Survivors youth club at the age of 15. His quick development enabled him to move to other local clubs in Liberia. He assumed starring roles for Mighty Barrolle and Invincible Eleven as a striker.

George Weah had a successful career in the Liberian league which enabled him to get recognized abroad. He won several national honors including the Liberian Premier League and the Liberian Cup.

Check out the 10 Best Football (Soccer) Players from Liberia

2. He Worked as a Switchboard Technician before moving Abroad

Life in Liberia was not that much smooth for George Weah who enjoyed his successful career path. He never spent much of his time playing football which allowed him to venture into other jobs.

George Weah worked for the Liberia Telecommunications Corporation as a switchboard technician before he earned a move abroad to continue his football career. His job was to connect calls by inserting a pair of phone plugs into the appropriate jacks.

3. Weah’s European Football Career was Brought to Life by Arsène Wenger

George Weah. Author Allsport.

George Weah’s football talent was discovered by Cameroon national coach Claude Le Roy while he was playing for the Cameroonian club Tonnerre Yaounde. Claude relayed the news of George Weah’s football talent to Arsène Wenger.

In 1988, Arsène Wenger signed George Weah for Monaco where he was manager for just £12,000. Arsène Wenger personally flew to Africa to watch Weah whom he (George Weah) credits as a significant influence on his soccer career.

While playing for Monaco, Weah managed to win the African Footballer of the Year in 1989 which he took to Liberia for the entire country to celebrate. He also won the Coupe de France in 1991 as well as helped Monaco reach the final of the European Cup in 1992 where he scored 4 goals.

4. George Weah Played for Top European Teams before Retiring

His move to Europe enabled George Weah to get more recognition in Europe as he was an elite player. Â鶹APP Saint Germaine signed him from Monaco where he played from 1992 to 1995. At PSG, he continued his prolific and successful career as he scored several goals and won the French League Cup and other trophies.

He later moved to AC Milan where his prowess also continued as he scored goals for fun and won multiple trophies for his team. George Weah won several individual accolades too before moving to England with Chelsea. In his prime, Weah played for a few teams before he retired from professional football.

check out the 10 Things You Need to Know about Timothy Tarpeh Weah

5. Weah Won the Ballon d’Or Award & Major Accolades

In 1995, George Weah won a top individual award due to his brilliance with both PSG and AC Milan. He won the Ballon d’Or, and the Onze d’Or and was also got named FIFA World Player of the Year. George Weah became the first and only current African player by FIFA nationality to win those top accolades.

George Weah showed his gratitude to Arsène Wenger by dedicating his FIFA World Player of the Year victory to him because of helping to shape his career. In the same year, George Weah won several other accolades and top awards.

6. George is a Humanitarian for his Country

Liberian President Weah in 2019.Author U.S. Embassy in Monrovia, Liberi

Other than being a former professional football player, George Weah is a devoted humanitarian for his country. He became a UN Goodwill Ambassador during his playing time. His efforts were recognized as he won the Arthur Ashe Courage Award in Los Angeles. He was also named a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador which he stepped down during his political career.

George Weah has used football as a major way of bringing happiness and promoting education for several children in Liberia. He also partnered with the Diya Group chairman and Indian entrepreneur Nirav for a multimillion-dollar deal for football academies in Liberia.

Overpayment in football—ruining careers?

7. His 1st Presidential Bid Never Went Through but He Pushed On

After retiring from football and at the end of the Second Liberian Civil War, George Weah announced his intentions to run for the presidency in Liberia in the 2005 elections. This is a tough decision that faced major opposition from the other people who were vying for the same position.

Even though he was popular in Liberia, his opponent, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf managed to outwit him through various allegations. Weah was downed for lack of formal education as well as several reports had stated that he had French citizenship. He managed to get to the run-offs but Ellen won the presidency by 59.4% and Weah got 40.6%. However, he never gave up his political ambitions.

8. He became the First Liberian International Athlete Elected as Senator

After the first failed attempt at the presidency, George Weah went to the United States and pursued a degree in business in Administration. He then ran for election to Senate as a Congress for Democratic Change candidate in Montserrado County in 2014.

George Weah received overwhelming support from the people who elected him to the Liberian Senate on 20th December 2014. He defeated the son of President Sirleaf to become the first Liberian International athlete elected to represent a county in the Legislature.

9. George Weah is the First African Former Professional Footballer to Become President

The ambitions of George Weah to become the president of Liberia were never deemed after his first failed attempt. He announced his intentions to run for the presidency again in April 2016 standing for the Coalition for Democratic Change.

George Weah won the first round of the 2017 election as well as the second round against vice president Joseph Boakai. He won the run-off with more than 60% of the total votes. George Weah became the first former African professional football player to become Head of state.

10. Weah has 4 Children with 2 Sons being Professional Footballers

Ambassador Davis and Liberian President George Weah at the 2022 FIFA World Cup Match US. Author Office of U.S. Ambassador to Qatar.

George Weah has four children, three with his Jamaican-born wife Clar Weah: George, Tita, and Timothy, and a daughter from another relationship. His two sons are professional football players who were once signed for Â鶹APP Saint-Germain.

However, Timothy Weah left PSG and signed for Lille while George Weah Jr. retired from professional football. Timothy Weah recently represented the United States of America national football team in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.