Liberia president and FIFA World Player of the Year George Weah made a surprise appearance on Tuesday in an international friendly against Nigeria.
The event was arranged to retire the number 14 jersey, which was made famous by Weah, who was regarded as one of the greatest African players of all time.
Fans were shocked to see the 51-year-old out on the pitch, 16 years after his last international appearance as a striker. Although Liberia lost to Nigeria 2-1, Weah received a standing ovation when he was substituted at the 79-minute mark.
Weah’s prolific career spanned over a decade, with appearances for Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain, and Marseille in France, AC Milan in Italy and Manchester City and Chelsea in England. He won both the 1995 World Footballer of the Year and the Ballon d’Or, remaining as the only African to win either award.
