Milan legend George Weah revealed he spoke with Paolo Maldini and told him not to be ‘too down’ about his sacking. Maldini was fired at the start of the month, amid reports he had fallen out with club owner and RedBird Capital chairman, Gerry Cardinale. Speaking with La Gazzetta dello Sport, former Rossoneri player and now president of Liberia, Weah talked about his time at the club, his work as head of state, and why he still loves Juventus:
How important is sports in your plans as President of the Republic seeking re-election?
“Sports is important to keep kids in the right places, sports is education, and now children and youth in Liberia can study for free. When I grew up I had only one opportunity: the Islamic school, because it was free and there was no money in my house. I went even though I was a Christian and I learned so many things.”
Are you satisfied with your achievements so far as head of state?
“Do you remember what everyone said when I was elected? ‘He is a former football player, he won’t be able to do anything…’. Instead I have done things for my people, take this sports field for example. It’s not just a sports field: it’s a gathering point that wasn’t there before. Of course, there is a lot to do. My priority, especially working with neighbors like my friends from the Ivory Coast, is infrastructure. Without infrastructure no economic investment from abroad, no tourism, yet Liberia has beautiful beaches, no nothing. But one thing is critical, actually two: peace and unity. Without peace the economy falls apart. There has been no war in this country for 11 years and everything is starting to get better.”
Is it important internationally to have a name like his?
“As I said, I proved that a former sportsman can accomplish projects even when he takes on another role. Do you know who has always believed in me? Silvio Berlusconi: he said I would be a great president for my country. I am very saddened by his death. He was never just the president of Milan or the Italian Prime Minister for me. I remember when I arrived at Milan from France I played in the Berlusconi trophy and missed a penalty. They started to criticize, but he said, ‘It can happen, to miss a penalty, it doesn’t count. George will make history with Milan.’ And we won the Ballon d’Or.”
A Ballon d’Or that is not in the museum.
“No, it’s in my house in New York. It has been there since my other house in Monrovia was burned down. 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?
“It’s complicated with my role. The meetings are all here or in Brussels. I miss Italy, though, and I still enjoy speaking in Italian with my children.”
Speaking of children, will Timothy change teams?
“He is playing with the U.S. national team that beat Mexico. I am very proud of him, we are all proud in the family, including George Jr. who had to drop out because of too many knee problems. Timothy is looking around: let’s see, he is talking to some clubs. He is still young and will find his way in European football. But there are so many quality soccer players here, too, and I would like to push the scouts to come to Liberia, instead of always stopping only in Ivory Coast or Nigeria or Cameroon. There is so much talent here, but the agents and scouts are not coming. I went to Cameroon, then to France, then to Italy, and I had a career. Now Gono, one of our boys, has signed with Udinese, maybe this contract will pave the way for more talent. Maybe by connecting Liberia better with the rest of the world even finding a showcase in football will be easier.”
Will we ever see Liberia in a World Cup?
“I hope so. I with my teammates came close in 2002 and we managed to qualify for two editions of the Africa Cup of Nations. Good times. Now I am old (laughs…) and have a belly. But I still play and score a lot of goals. And I also play basketball here in our playground.”
Returning to his Milan team, are you sorry about Maldini’s dismissal?
“Paolo is a champion. I listened to him and told him, ‘Paolo, you must not get down, this is how the job is, all jobs need results.’ Milan stopped at the Champions League semifinal and gave reason to send him away. But his work at 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 will still be successful as a manager as well.”
Did he 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 was left on the bench.”
Maybe he was not ready for a full game.
“Well, but if a champion is not very well you make him start the game and then maybe replace him later. It happened to me once with PSG: I was out of the hospital, but there was an important Champions League game. I scored a goal and went to the bench afterwards. PSG won that match.”
Best memories with Milan?
“Difficult to choose. My decisive goal against Roma at the Olimpico maybe, the victory in Turin against Juve in 1999. The Scudetto’s won in comebacks were beautiful: when you believe in a goal and you have quality, you always achieve it. Look at Messi: everyone was criticizing Argentina after the loss to Saudi Arabia. But he knew what the team was worth and repeated that the first game means nothing. I admire him because he is talented, he is intelligent, he talks little and works for the team. And I like Cristiano Ronaldo: a serious professional. These are good examples for the boys.”
However, they are at the end of their careers now….
“So what? If one is good, one is good even when old. Look at me.” More laughter.
President, do you still like football?
“It’s fast, less violent than before, there’s less stonewalling. Of course I like it. And I still follow the championships: now my teams are Atletico Madrid and Juve.”
Juve?
“I’ve always been a Juventus fan, I fell in love with Juve with Platini and if you ask me what other team I would have liked to play with I say Juve. But Monaco is my first football family and Milan my second. And I really hope to see Timothy play in Italy sooner or later. Because in Italy everyone always liked me, the fans of all the clubs respected me. And this has remained in my heart.”
