George Weah is a Liberian former professional footballer and politician who served as the 25th president of Liberia from 2018 to 2024. He is best known globally for winning the Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year in 1995, a historic achievement that made him the first and only African to win both awards. His journey from the streets of Monrovia to the highest office in Liberia remains one of the most remarkable stories in modern African history.
Did George Weah win the Ballon d’Or?
Yes. George Weah won the Ballon d’Or in 1995 while playing for AC Milan. He became the first African and the first non-European player to receive the award. Multiple sources confirm that he is still the only African to have won the Ballon d’Or as of 2025.
| Label | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Born | October 1, 1966 | Monrovia, Liberia |
| Peak award | 1995 Ballon d’Or | Also won FIFA World Player of the Year in 1995 |
| Political role | 25th President of Liberia | Served 2018–2024 |
| Family connection | Father of footballers | Timothy Weah and George Weah Jr. |
- George Weah is widely recognized as the first African player to win the Ballon d’Or, which anchors most award-related searches.
- His path from football star to President of Liberia makes ‘nationality’ and ‘politics’ core secondary intents.
- People searching ‘George Weah children’ are usually looking for family links to soccer, especially Timothy Weah.
- Net worth is a recurring query, but no official figure exists; content must label all estimates as estimates.
- The dual identity of ‘footballer’ and ‘president’ means successful content must serve both sports and political audiences.
George Weah awards
Weah’s major football honors include the Ballon d’Or (1995), FIFA World Player of the Year (1995), African Footballer of the Year (1989, 1994, 1995), and African Player of the Century (1996). These awards place him among the most decorated African footballers in history.
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | George Manneh Oppong Weah |
| Born | 1 October 1966, Monrovia, Liberia |
| Nationality | Liberian |
| Position | Forward |
| Major clubs | Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan, Chelsea, Manchester City, Marseille, Al Jazira |
| Political office | 25th President of Liberia, 2018–2024 |
| Known children | Timothy Weah and George Weah Jr. |
What is George Weah’s football career?
George Weah football career
Weah began his professional football journey in Africa with Mighty Barolle and Invincible Eleven in Liberia, then Tonnerre Yaoundé in Cameroon. In 1988 he joined AS Monaco, marking the start of his European career. At Monaco he played as a forward until 1992, when he moved to Paris Saint-Germain.
At PSG, Weah helped the club win domestic trophies including the French championship. His performances attracted AC Milan, who signed him in 1995. That same year he won the Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year.
Weah’s 1995 Ballon d’Or win remains historic: he is the only African player ever to win the award. His move to AC Milan in 1995 was a defining moment in his career.
George Weah Chelsea
After leaving Milan, Weah had a short loan spell at Chelsea in 2000. According to BBC Sport, he also played for Manchester City later in his career. His professional football career ended in 2003 after approximately 18 years.
What is George Weah’s nationality?
George Weah is Liberian. He was born in Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, on 1 October 1966. His nationality is central to both his football identity and his political career.
Who are George Weah’s children?
George Weah Jr
George Weah Jr. is one of Weah’s sons. Details about his public career are less widely documented than those of his brother Timothy. He is known to be involved in football, but specific records from the supplied sources remain limited.
The supplied research does not include reliable biographical details about George Weah Jr.’s career or personal life. Most family-related search demand focuses on Timothy Weah.
Timothy Weah
Timothy Weah is George Weah’s son and a professional footballer. He has played for clubs including Lille and Juventus, and represents the United States national team. His career keeps the Weah family name active in contemporary football.
What is George Weah’s net worth?
No verified net worth figure exists from authoritative sources. During his playing career, Weah was described as a “millionaire striker,” but that is not equivalent to a current verified estimate. Any net worth figures available online are third-party estimates and should be treated as such.
Because no official net worth has been published, all online figures are estimates. The supplied research does not provide a reliable number.
Timeline of George Weah’s life and career
- : George Weah born on October 1 in Monrovia, Liberia.
- : Played for Monaco, establishing his European career.
- : Played for Paris Saint-Germain and became one of the most recognized forwards in Europe.
- : Moved to AC Milan and won the Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year.
- : Had a short loan spell at Chelsea before later playing for Manchester City.
- : Played for Marseile and Al Jazira before retiring in the early 2000s.
- : Ran for President of Liberia and lost to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in the runoff.
- : Elected as senator for Montserrado County.
- : Elected President of Liberia in 2017 and inaugurated as the 25th president in January 2018.
- : Lost the 2023 presidential election to Joseph Boakai, conceded, and left office in January 2024.
What is confirmed and what remains unclear about George Weah?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| George Weah was born on 1 October 1966 in Monrovia, Liberia. | Net worth figures are third-party estimates; there is no official published net worth. |
| He won the Ballon d’Or in 1995. | Some transfer and contract dates vary by source. |
| He served as the 25th President of Liberia from 2018 to 2024. | The exact form of his full name differs slightly by source; FBref lists an additional ‘Ousman’ middle name while Wikipedia uses ‘George Manneh Oppong Weah’. |
| Timothy Weah is his son and a professional footballer. | Details about George Weah Jr.’s public career are less widely documented than Timothy Weah’s. |
| His primary nationality is Liberian. |
Why does George Weah matter beyond football?
George Weah’s life spans two high-attention domains: elite football and national politics. His 1995 Ballon d’Or remains a defining fact for sports audiences, making verification content important. His presidency connects him to Liberia’s post-conflict political history, adding an authoritative political dimension. The ongoing public interest in his children, especially Timothy Weah, keeps the family angle fresh across both sports and biography queries.
What do the sources say about George Weah?
Wikipedia provides a comprehensive lead paragraph defining his full name, birth date, football career, and political role. Britannica offers an authoritative ‘who is’ summary and awards reference. BBC News covers current events and post-presidency activity. FBref supplies career stats and positional data.
“George Weah is a Liberian former professional footballer and politician who served as the 25th president of Liberia from 2018 to 2024.”
— Wikipedia lead
“He won the Ballon d’Or in 1995 while playing for AC Milan, becoming the first African and first non-European player to win the award.”
— Multiple sources including France Football and AC Milan
Summary: George Weah’s lasting legacy
George Weah rose from poverty in Monrovia to become one of Africa’s greatest footballers, winning the Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year in 1995. He later served as the 25th President of Liberia from 2018 to 2024. His life remains a unique intersection of sports and politics, with continued interest in his family and financial status.
Frequently asked questions
Is George Weah a footballer?
Yes. George Weah is a retired professional footballer and former President of Liberia. He is best known for winning the 1995 Ballon d’Or and for his career with clubs such as AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea.
Did George Weah win the Ballon d’Or?
Yes, he won the Ballon d’Or in 1995 while playing for AC Milan, becoming the first African player to do so.
What clubs did George Weah play for?
His major clubs include Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan, Chelsea, Manchester City, Marseille, and Al Jazira.
How long was George Weah president of Liberia?
He served as the 25th President of Liberia from January 2018 to January 2024.
Who are George Weah’s children?
His known children include Timothy Weah, a professional footballer, and George Weah Jr., who is also involved in football.
What is George Weah’s net worth?
No official net worth has been published. All figures are third-party estimates and should be treated as unverified.
What is George Weah’s full name?
His full name is George Manneh Oppong Weah. Some sources also include ‘Ousman’ as an additional middle name.
When did George Weah retire from football?
He retired in 2003 after an 18-year professional career.
Did George Weah play for Chelsea?
Yes, he had a short loan spell at Chelsea in 2000.
Is George Weah the only African to win the Ballon d’Or?
As of 2025, he remains the only African player to have won the Ballon d’Or.
Oliver Arthur Morgan Harrison is a staff writer for StoryShift.uk, covering UK news, culture, politics and technology. He works under Editor-in-Chief Maarika Tamm and UK Managing Editor Oliver Grant, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.