Liberian President, George Weah played in an international friendly for his country against the Super Eagles of Nigeria on Tuesday at the age of 51.
The 51-year-old President of Liberia, George Weah, on Tuesday night, made a surprise return to international football in Monrovia, playing for 79 minutes in a 2-1 friendly loss to Nigeria a few weeks short of his 52nd birthday.
According to ESPN Sports, Liberia had arranged the friendly to retire the No. 14 jersey made famous by Weah, but fans were in for a shock when, 16 years after his last international appearance, the former World Footballer of the Year, led the national team onto the pitch wearing it instead.
All of the Liberia players, including Weah’s former teammate, 48-year-old James Debbah, wore shirts bearing the message “Thank you King George” on the front.
The former Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan striker, Weah, who led the attack and showed glimpses of the class that made him a global star, received a standing ovation from fans when he was substituted with 11 minutes remaining.
George Weah against Nigeria on Tuesday night
Meanwhile, goals from Henry Onyekuru and Simeon Nwankwo helped Super Eagles of Nigeria to a 2-0 lead before the hosts pulled one back through a Kpah Sherman penalty late in the game.
Recall that President Weah enjoyed a career in Europe spanning nearly a decade and a half that saw him play for Monaco, PSG and Marseille in France, Milan in Italy and English sides Manchester City and Chelsea.
As well as being named the 1995 World Footballer of the Year, he also won the Ballon d’Or in the same year and remains the only African to win either award.
Weah’s popularity from his playing career saw him secure a landslide run-off win last December in Liberia’s presidential elections.
Thanks For Reading and Visiting There is more to read look around
