George Weah, the former African football icon, has been inducted into the Salon de la Fama in Pachuca, Mexico, alongside his former teammates Franco Baresi and Paolo Maldini. Reflecting on his illustrious career, the Liberian politician and 1995 Ballon d’Or winner expressed gratitude to his former coach, Arsene Wenger, who was in charge of Monaco during his time there.
Weah recalled his early days in Monaco, where he initially faced limited opportunities as the third foreigner in the team. However, when Mark Hateley got injured, Wenger showed unwavering confidence in Weah, starting him and stating, “I have confidence in you, if you work, you will be a great player, a world reference.” Weah acknowledged Wenger not just as a coach but as a father figure, providing valuable advice on managing daily life. He credited his successful career to Wenger, highlighting the positional shift from winger to center forward suggested by the coach.
As Liberia looks to the future, the question arises whether the nation will witness the emergence of another player of George Weah’s caliber. The Salon de la Fama, situated in Pachuca, Mexico, holds significance as the birthplace of football in Mexico, introduced by English minors. The Pachuca club, with over a century of history, is currently coached by former Real Madrid center forward Hugo Sanchez. This football-dedicated center was established last year with the sponsorship of Sepp Blatter, the then-president of FIFA.
