Liberia president, George Weah, may have retired 16 years ago, but the former World Footballer of the Year was forced to quit again on his return.
Weah made a surprise comeback to international competition in Monrovia on Tuesday, playing in a 2-1 loss to Super Eagles a few weeks short of his 52nd birthday.
Liberia arranged the friendly to retire the number 14 jersey made famous by Weah but fans were in for a shock when the ex-Monaco striker led the national team onto the pitch wearing it instead.
Although Mr Weah showed glimpses of the class that made him a household name around the world in 79 minutes on the pitch, he was made to sweat by a young Nigerian side.
Gernot Rohr flaunts a supremely talented crop, who was the youngest at last summer’s World Cup in Russia.
Goals from Henry Onyekuru and Simeon Nwankwo helped the visitors to a 2-0 lead before the hosts pulled one back through a Kpah Sherman penalty late in the game.
Weah enjoyed a career in Europe spanning nearly a decade and a half that saw him play for Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille in France, AC Milan in Italy and English sides Manchester City and Chelsea.
As well as being named the 1995 World Footballer of the Year, he also won the Ballon d’Or in the same year and remains the only African to win either award.
Weah’s popularity from his playing career saw him secure a landslide run-off win last December in Liberia’s presidential elections.
