Former AC Milan striker George Weah believes that Paolo Maldini ultimately fell victim to the results that occurred on the field, while he also spoke about Silvio Berlusconi’s passing.
Weah is currently serving as the president of Liberia having been in office since 2018, but before that he had a professional football career which lasted for 18 yers and finished in 2003, becoming known as one of the greatest African players of all time.
He signed for Milan in 1995 and spent four years at the club, winning the Scudetto twice. He also played at Paris Saint-Germain and then went to Chelsea and Manchester City after his time at Milan, winning the FA Cup at the former.
Weah gave an interview to La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) in which he spoke about a number of topics from his political career to the recent goings on at Milan.
Are you satisfied with the results you have achieved so far as head of state?
“Remember what everyone said when I got elected? ‘He is a former footballer, he may not be able to do anything’. Instead of things I’ve done for my people, take this sports field for example. It’s not just a sports field: it’s a meeting point that wasn’t there before.
“Sure, there’s a lot to do. My priority, especially collaborating with neighbours, such as friends from the Ivory Coast, is infrastructure. Without infrastructure, no economic investment from abroad, no tourism, yet Liberia has beautiful beaches, nothing at all.
“But one thing is fundamental, or rather two: peace and unity. Without peace, the economy collapses. There have been no wars in this country for 11 years and everything is starting to get better.”
Is it important internationally to have a name like yours?
“As I said, I have demonstrated that a former sportsman can implement projects even when he takes on another role. Do you know who always believed in me? Silvio Berlusconi: he said I would be a great president for my country.
“I am very saddened by his death. For me, he was never just the president of Milan or the president of the Italian council. I remember when I arrived at Milan from France I played in the Berlusconi trophy and missed a penalty.
“They began to criticize, but he said: ‘It can happen that you miss a penalty, it doesn’t count. George will make history with Milan’. And we won the Ballon d’Or.”
A Ballon d’Or which is not in the museum…
“No, it’s at my home in New York. It’s been there since my other Monrovia house burned down. Every now and then they ask me for it from Milan for exhibitions, I send it to Italy, then they send it back to me. I have the two African Ballon d’Ors with me.”
Do you ever come to Italy?
“Complicated with my job. The meetings are all here or in Brussels. But I miss Italy and I still like speaking Italian with my children.”
Speaking of children, will Timothy change teams?
“He is playing with the American national team that beat Mexico. I am very proud of him, we are all proud in the family, including George Junior who had to leave the business due to too many knee problems.
“Timothy is looking around: let’s see, he’s talking to some clubs. He is still young and will find his way into European football. But even here there are many quality players and I would like to encourage scouts to come to Liberia, instead of always and only stopping in the Ivory Coast or Nigeria or Cameroon.
“There is a lot of talent here, but the agents and discoverers are not arriving. I went to Cameroon, then to France, then to Italy and made a career.
“Now Gono, one of our boys, has signed with Udinese, maybe this contract will pave the way for other talents. Perhaps by better connecting Liberia with the rest of the world, finding a showcase in football will also be easier.”
Returning to your Milan, are you sorry for Maldini’s sacking?
“Paolo is a champion. I heard him and I told him, ‘Paolo, you mustn’t get discouraged, work is like this, all work needs results’. Milan stopped at the semi-final of the Champions League and gave reason to sack him.
“But his work in the club is good and will not be destroyed. Did you see how long it took Guardiola to win the Champions League with City? Yet Guardiola is very good. It takes time, but Paolo has great skills and he too will still be successful as a manager.”
Did you see the Champions League final?
“Yes and I have to admit that Inter were unlucky. I didn’t understand why an important player like Lukaku remained on the bench.”
Maybe he wasn’t ready for a full game?
“Well, but if a champion isn’t doing well, you let him start the game and then maybe you replace him later. It happened to me once with PSG: I had left the hospital, but there was an important Champions League match. I scored and then went on the bench. PSG won that match.”
Your best memories with Milan?
“Hard to choose. My decisive goal against Roma at the Olimpico perhaps, the victory in Turin against Juve in 1999. The comeback Scudetti won were wonderful: when you believe in a goal and you have quality, you always achieve it.
“Look at Messi: everyone was criticizing Argentina after the defeat against Saudi Arabia. But he knew what the team was worth and repeated that the first game means nothing.
“I admire him because he is a talent, he is intelligent, speaks little and works for the team. And I like Cristiano Ronaldo: a serious professional. These are good examples for the kids.”
