“I Came to Visit George,” Wenger Denies Knowing He Would be Awarded in Liberia

Former Arsenal manager Arséne Wenger has denied knowing the planned event to award him in Monrovia, insisting he flew to Liberia to visit his former player and friend.

The gaffer, who took President Weah to France after personally watching him play for Cameroonian club Tonnerre Yaoundé, was honored along with his close friend Claude Le Roy for their contribution in developing his football career.

At a red-carpet ceremony in the suburbs of the capital Monrovia, the pair received Liberia’s Order of Distinction and were conferred with the Knight Grand Commander of the Humane Order of African Redemption which is the highest possible rank in the West African Country.

The former World and African Player of the Year played under Wenger for the French Ligue 1 club Monaco in 1998 and Weah has often spoken of how instrumental he was in his career.

During one interview with BBC Africa Sport in 1998, Weah revealed he always worked extremely hard not to let down Arsene who believed in him.

Now 51, the erstwhile Milan mesmerizing attacker revealed how the French gaffer lifted his spirits during a low moment in his life triggered by goal profligacy.

“I believe that with your talent, you can become one of the best players in the world,” Wenger had told him, a statement that would motivate the forward for the rest of his playing career.

“So, I listened and kept going on. Besides God, I think that without Arsène, there was no way I would have made it in Europe,” the footballer-turned president added.

Weah went on to win the FIFA World Player of the Year and Ballon d’Or in 1995. Up to date, he remains the only African player to have won these awards.