Liberia President and former World Footballer of the Year, George Weah, made a surprise return to international competition in Monrovia on Tuesday, playing in a 2-1 loss to Nigeria.
The match came up a few weeks short of his 52nd birthday and Liberia had arranged the friendly to retire the number 14 jersey made famous by Weah.
However, fans were in for a shock when, 16 years after his last international appearance, the striker led the national team onto the pitch wearing it instead.
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Media reports said Weah, who led the attack and showed glimpses of the class that made him a household name around the world.
He received a standing ovation from fans when he was substituted on 79 minutes.
Goals from Henry Onyekuru and Simeon Nwankwo helped Nigeria 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.
He also played for English sides Manchester City and Chelsea.
Weah was 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.
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(NAN)
