Ghana international Alidu Seidu has recounted how football took him from the streets to becoming a professional footballer.
Seidu, born and raised in Kumasi engaged in many social vices before departing Ghana for greener pastures.
The 24-year-old joined Ivorian club JMG Abidjan in 2019 before joining French club, Clermont Foot in 2020.
The Black Stars defender, who signed for Stade Rennais from Clermont back in January 2024 for €11m in an interview with Ouest-France shared childhood struggles before realizing his potential with support from his uncle.
“We walked the streets with knives or machetes, I committed thefts, vandalism, and small-time trafficking. My mother was always crying, and sometimes I ran away at night to avoid my father punishing me. Fortunately, my uncle was there and pushed me towards football because he knew I had something. He always supported me, and football saved my life!”
One of the most traumatic episodes of his youth was an attack with a machete during a street fight. He was struck on the head and had to be hospitalized for three months. “I lost a lot of blood, I couldn’t speak… Everyone thought I was going to die,” he recalls.
“It puts things into perspective. I’m still lucky to have become a professional player, to be here. I always try to turn the negative side into something positive, it’s in my character.”
Seidu is currently injured after picking up an anterior cruciate ligament injury in November 2024.
Since making his debut for Ghana in June 2022, the tough-tackling defender has racked 15 appearances for the Black Stars, scoring one goal in the process.
