September 12 – Liberia president George Weah came out of football retirement on Tuesday just short of his 52nd birthday for a one-off friendly against Nigeria.
Liberia had arranged the friendly to retire the number 14 jersey made famous by Weah but fans were in for a shock when, 16 years after his last international appearance, the striker led the national team onto the pitch wearing it.
Weah, who led the attack and showed glimpses of the class that made him a household name around the world, received a standing ovation when he was substituted on 79 minutes.
Goals from Henry Onyekuru and Simeon Nwankwo helped Nigeria to a 2-0 lead before the hosts pulled one back through a Kpah Sherman penalty late in the game.
Weah enjoyed a glittering career in Europe spanning nearly a decade starring for Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille in France, AC Milan in Italy and Manchester City and Chelsea in the UK.
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 saw him secure a landslide run-off win last December in Liberia’s presidential elections.
His son Timothy, also a striker, currently plays for Paris Saint-Germain although he represents the United States, the country of his birth. On the same day his father was appearing for Liberia, Weah junior started the USA’s 1-0 friendly win over Mexico.
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