African legend George Weah has praised Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger as the man who helped him in achieving his football dreams in Europe during his career.
The 51-year old ex-footballer-turned-politician said Wenger showered him a fatherly love at a period in the beautiful game when he doubted himself and his ability to make it in football. Recalling the period he worked with Wenger while he was at Monaco Weah said:
“He was a father figure and regarded me as his son,” Weah told the Guardian. “This was a man when racism was at its peak, who showed me, love. He wanted me to be on the pitch for him every day.
“One day, I was quite tired of training and told him that I was having a headache. He said to me: ‘George, I know it’s tough but you need to work hard. I believe that with your talent, you can become one of the best players in the world.”
“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.”