George Weah: Africa’s Only Ballon d’Or Winner and the Journey That Made History
George Weah remains the only African footballer to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or.
A feat he achieved in 1995 after a remarkable season that saw him conquer European football.
His victory not only marked a personal milestone but also stood as a defining moment for African football on the global stage.
Born in Monrovia, Liberia, Weah’s path to greatness was far from ordinary.
He rose from humble beginnings, playing barefoot on the dusty streets of his neighborhood, before catching the eye of scouts with his extraordinary blend of speed, power, and technical skill.
His talent soon took him to Europe, where Arsène Wenger, then manager of Monaco, signed him in 1988.
Under Wenger’s guidance, Weah developed into one of the most exciting forwards in French football.
After stints with Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain, where he won Ligue 1 and became a feared striker across Europe.
Weah made the move that would define his career when he joined Italian giants AC Milan in 1995.
It was in Milan where his all-round brilliance came to full light.
In his first season with the club, Weah scored 11 goals in 26 Serie A appearances.
While adding 4 more goals in European and domestic cup competitions, bringing his total to 15 goals in 35 matches across all competitions.
Weah’s campaign in the 1994-95 UEFA Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain had already shown his class. He finished as the competition’s top scorer with 7 goals.
At PSG in the 1994-95 season he scored a total of 18 goals in 53 games in all competitions. Proving his steady rise before arriving in Milan.
At Milan, he became the complete forward, combining flair with power, elegance with efficiency.
One of his most memorable moments came in September 1996 when he scored a legendary solo goal against Verona. Running the length of the pitch before slotting past the goalkeeper.
In December 1995, his consistency and influence were finally recognised as he was awarded the Ballon d’Or.
He beat stiff competition from German legend Jürgen Klinsmann and Finland’s Jari Litmanen.
His triumph was not only historic but also symbolic, proving that African talent could stand shoulder to shoulder with Europe and South America’s finest.
What made Weah’s victory even more remarkable was that he did it while coming from a country with little football infrastructure and no strong tradition of producing global stars.
Liberia had never appeared in a World Cup, yet Weah’s individual brilliance carried African pride to football’s summit.
Even decades later, no African player has managed to repeat the feat. Stars such as Samuel Eto’o, Didier Drogba, Yaya Touré, and Mohamed Salah have come close, but Weah’s 1995 achievement still stands alone.
His win continues to inspire young African footballers who dream of not just making it in Europe, but reaching the very top of the game.
George Weah’s Ballon d’Or story is more than a footballing achievement.
It is a tale of resilience, determination, and hope. Weah showed the world that greatness knows no boundaries, and that Africa too can produce a global icon.
