Weah still Liberia's guiding light

MONROVIA (Reuters) -- Liberian star George Weah is the only African player to have won both the World Footballer of the Year and European Footballer of the Year award and remains one of the potent symbols of the game on the continent.

At 35, Weah is now reaching the end of his illustrious career earning petro-dollars in the United Arab Emirates but at the height of his game was a powerful symbol for his war-torn country.

He virtually kept the Liberian side going single-handedly, paying for their affiliation fees to FIFA, purchasing tickets for other Liberian players to travel to Africa from their European clubs for key matches and supplying the side with kit and other equipment.

Weah has not had much success at international level, having only competed in one previous Nations Cup tournament in 1996.

But in Europe he was a sensation and in 1995 won widespread accolades for his performances with AC Milan in Italy.

Weah was first brought to Europe by Arsene Wenger, the current Arsenal manager, for whom he played under at Monaco, before moving to Paris St Germain and then Italy.

Two years ago he won the FA Cup with Chelsea while on loan from Milan and then had a brief and unhappy spell at another English club, Manchester City.

Weah now plays for Al Jazira in Abu Dhabi.

 

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