Wenger in Liberia to receive top award from Weah

Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger on Thursday arrived in Liberia to a heroic reception, where he will be presented with the country’s highest honour by president and former footballer George Weah.

Weah, who was signed for AS Monaco by Wenger 1988, became Liberian President in January this year after winning a landslide election victory.

He has often spoken of the impact Wenger had in bringing him to Europe, where he went on to play for the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan, and became Fifa World Player of the Year in 1995.

Wenger will be given the title of Knight Grand Commander of the Humane Order of African Redemption in recognition of his “contribution to sports in Africa” and work in giving “many Africans opportunities”.

During his time as Arsenal manager, Wenger helped to develop the careers of some of the most famous African footballers of the past 30 years, including Nwankwo Kanu, Lauren, Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor.

Weah invited Wenger to his inauguration at the start of the year, with Wenger joking that he would only be able to attend if given a touchline ban by the FA for ranting at match officials.

Speaking in January, Wenger said: “I remember when I saw Weah the first time at Monaco, coming in a bit lost, not knowing anybody, not being rated by anybody as a player and becoming the best player in the world in 1995 and today becoming the president of his country.

“The life of this guy is a real film. It is unbelievable. It can make a fantastic film.”

Report by Evening Standard