When most football players hang up their boots, the next chapter of their lives is often written on the sidelines as coaches. They stay within the familiar world of football, guiding teams to glory just as they once did on the pitch.
Notable examples from the continent include:
- Stephen Keshi – the Nigerian defender who won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1994. Upon retiring in 1997, he went on to coach, first, the Togolese team, with whom he qualified for the World Cup in 2006, and later the Nigerian team, with whom he won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013.
- Aliou Cissé – the Senegalese midfielder who, after retiring, coached the Senegalese team, leading them to the 2018 World Cup and a finalist spot in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, where they narrowly lost to Egypt in a penalty shootout.
But one African footballer dared to rewrite the script entirely. Instead of trading jerseys for coaching suits, he exchanged his boots for campaign posters and aimed for the highest office in Liberia.
This is the story of George Weah—the slum boy turned football legend, turned president.
Early Life
George Weah was born on the 1st of October 1966, in a slum called Clara Town, located in the capital city, Monrovia. He was one of four sons, born to William T. Weah Snr & Anna Quaye Weah. Weah dropped out of high school in his final year, to focus on playing football.
His football career kicked off at the age of 15, playing for a slum-based team known as Young Survivors. During his three years with the team, he proved instrumental to their success, single-handedly leading them to two league promotions from the fourth division to the second division.
Over the next few years, Weah switched clubs three times before eventually joining the national league. By the time he was 21 years old, he was playing for the Invincible Eleven, where his exceptional talent drove the team to victory, helping them win the Liberian Premier League title. He also emerged as the league’s top scorer, earning the prestigious Player of the Season award.
Remarkably, during this period, he balanced his rising football career with a job as a switchboard operator at the Liberia Telecommunications Corporation, connecting calls in the early days of telephony.
Moving Abroad
In 1987, when George Weah was 22 years old, he was signed by a Cameroonian team. There, he was spotted by the Cameroonian national team manager, Claude Le Roy, who recommended him to Arsene Wenger, the then-manager of Monaco.
Wenger flew to Cameroon to personally get a chance to watch Weah play. To say that he was awed is an understatement, for Wenger immediately signed him.
In 1988, George Weah joined Monaco, and in his first season, he impressed so much that he was named the African Footballer of the Year. The achievement meant a great deal to him, so much so that he brought the prestigious award back to Liberia, celebrating it with the entire nation.
In the following two years, Weah won one club trophy and finished as runners-up in another before making the move from Monaco to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), where he spent three years. At PSG, his star continued to rise, as he claimed three cup titles and a league championship. In 1994, he was honoured with the African Footballer of the Year Award for a second time.
In 1995, Weah joined AC Milan, a move that would likely mark the peak of his career. Playing alongside legends like Roberto Baggio, he flourished, finishing the season as Milan's top scorer.
Thanks to his incredible performances with both PSG and AC Milan, Weah collected several prestigious individual awards, including:
- The Ballon d’Or
- The Onze d’Or
- FIFA World Player of the Year
- African Player of the Year
To put just how impressive this was into perspective: by winning all four of these awards in 1995, he was not just the best African player, but the best player in Europe, and arguably, the best in the world.
In addition to his incredible achievements, Weah was not only the first African player but also the first non-European to win the Ballon d’Or.
You see, before 1995, the Ballon d’Or award was restricted to players of European descent playing within Europe. Legends like Pele and Maradona, despite their brilliance, were never eligible for the award. George Weah’s win shattered that barrier, making history and inspiring countless African kids who now dared to dream of similar success.
His impact didn’t stop there. In Europe, black footballers now saw the possibility of winning major awards, thanks to Weah. Even Thierry Henry credits Weah for shaping his playing style.
Weah continued playing for AC Milan until the end of the century when he finally moved to Chelsea, then Manchester City, Marseille and finally Al Jazira, where he remained until his retirement in 2003.
Just as he led his teams to victory on the field, Weah envisioned leading his nation to prosperity, making his transition from football to politics a natural evolution of his leadership journey.
Entry into politics
In 2005, George Weah formed his party, known as the Congress for Democratic Change, and decided to run for the presidential seat against Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
Weah faced significant opposition to his campaign bid. Critics pointed to his lack of formal education compared to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, a Harvard graduate. They also dismissed his qualifications, arguing that he lacked leadership experience, having only been a footballer, while Sirleaf had an impressive résumé, including roles at Citibank, the World Bank, the United Nations, and as Liberia’s Minister of Finance.
His eligibility was also questioned due to his application for French citizenship in 1993 while playing for PSG. Despite these challenges, the electoral commission ultimately cleared him to run.
When the elections were held, Weah lost to Sirleaf, securing 40.6% of the vote compared to her 59.4%. He alleged electoral malpractice, citing voter intimidation and ballot tampering. His claims fueled protests by his supporters in the streets of Monrovia.
Path to Presidency
Despite his initial loss, George Weah remained steadfast in his political ambitions. In 2011, he joined forces with Winston Tubman as his running mate in a bid for the presidency against Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. However, they were defeated once more.
Determined to make an impact, Weah shifted his focus to the Legislature. In 2014, he ran for a senatorial seat against Robert Sirleaf, the son of President Sirleaf. With a decisive victory, he made history as the first international athlete ever elected to Liberia's Legislature.
When Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's term ended in 2016, Weah once again set his sights on the presidency. This time, his perseverance paid off. Garnering over 60% of the vote, George Weah was elected as Liberia’s president, marking the culmination of an extraordinary journey from the football pitch to the highest office in the land.
Struggles and Contradictions
George Weah’s presidency, while groundbreaking, was far from smooth. His time in office exposed deep contradictions in his leadership, juxtaposing his glorious past as a football icon with the stark realities of governance.
Inflation soared to 30%, and unemployment climbed to 4.1%, sparking discontent among Liberians. Protests against the economic downturn became a recurring feature of his tenure, and in typical fashion for the region, they were often met with police intervention.
His administration was also marred by allegations of nepotism and corruption, drawing uncomfortable parallels with the very leaders he had once campaigned against. For many, the George Weah who had inspired hope and unity on the football field seemed unable to deliver on his promises of transformation.
By 2020, public frustration reached a boiling point as protests erupted in the streets of Monrovia. The cheers that had once celebrated their hero were replaced with chants of discontent, reflecting a nation’s disappointment.
In the 2023 presidential elections, Weah faced Joseph Boakai and lost. Unlike many African leaders who cling to power at all costs, Weah conceded defeat peacefully, handing over the reins with grace. This marked the end of his presidency, leaving behind a complex legacy that oscillates between triumph and unfulfilled expectations.
Nonetheless, George Weah’s journey remains undeniably fascinating. From a boy growing up in the slums to a celebrated footballer, then a senator, and finally the president of his nation—his life is a testament to resilience and ambition. Along the way, he etched his name in history as the only African player to ever win the Ballon d’Or. For all his triumphs and struggles, George Weah’s story is that of a truly remarkable man.
But what will history remember more - his triumphs or the challenges he couldn't overcome?
Further Reading for the Curious
If you’d like to dive deeper into George Weah’s extraordinary journey and Liberia’s leadership history, here are some recommendations:
- George Weah: The Dream, the Legend, the Rise to Power – A detailed account of Weah’s rise from the slums of Monrovia to global football stardom and ultimately the presidency.
- Madame President: The Extraordinary Journey of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf – While focused on Liberia’s first female president, this book offers valuable insights into the political climate Weah stepped into.
- George Weah: Taking on 170-Year Challenges of Liberia – A compelling look at how Weah has tackled Liberia’s long-standing socio-economic and political issues as president.
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