On the night of January 8, 1996, was there a prouder or more delirious guy on the earth than George Weah? His response is unequivocal. No way, no how. No African, let alone a Liberian, had ever come close to winning the FIFA World Player of the Year award, with Abedi Pele’s 10 votes in 1992 coming the closest. Yet here was Weah, atop the podium, holding the prestigious prize, his mentor Arsene Wenger by his side. He knew he had done his family – and his continent – immense justice.
On the night of January 8, 1996, was there a more proud or delirious guy on the earth than George Weah? His response is strong. No way. No African, much alone a Liberian, has ever threatened to win the FIFA World Player of the Year title, with Abedi Pele’s 10 votes in 1992 coming the closest. Yet there was Weah, atop the platform, holding the prized trophy, his mentor Arsene Wenger by his side. He knew he’d made his family – and his continent – quite proud.
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Weah realises his father’s dream
Weah turned 30 later that year. He realized his groundbreaking career was coming to an end. Liberia had never even come close to making the cut. It dawned on him that he would never perform on football’s grandest stage. But seeing your aspirations realized via your children feels much greater. Weah Sr will vouch for this. He was at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium tonight to see his son Tim score against Wales. It was for the United States, but that didn’t dampen the pride of Qatar’s proudest father.
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Tim wowed you? Absolutely!” Tim Ream, a defender for the United States, told FIFA+. “His running timing is great – it was like that throughout the first half, and the manner he went through for his goal was no different. It was a fantastic slip-in from Christian [Pulisic] and a really, really nice finish on the outside of his right.” He’s a dynamic player, and seeing him receive his prize in that manner was amazing.”
Tim was born in the New York borough of Brooklyn. He turned down advances from Liberia, Jamaica, and the might of France. “I am an American,” he said years ago. “I adore my homeland.” I aspire to play on the senior national squad. “I want to win championships and compete at the World Cup.”
Weah not only made his World Cup debut in Qatar (he was chosen ahead of Brendon Aaronson and Gio Reyna to start), but he did so with a brilliant opening goal as the United States drew 1-1 with Wales. Weah Sr is no longer plagued by remorse. He can go to bed content.