George Weah has become the first former Ballon d’Or winner to be elected as a world leader, having emerged victorious in his quest to become the new president of Liberia.
Weah topped the first round of voting back in October but didn’t garner the 50% needed to win overall. The subsequent do-over poll was then delayed twice but, on Boxing Day, the former Milan, PSG, Man City and Chelsea striker finally clinched the win over his opponent, long-serving vice-president Joseph Boakai.
It is with deep emotion that I want to thank you, the Liberian people, for honoring me with your vote today. It is a great hope. #Liberia #Liberia2017
— George Weah (@GeorgeWeahOff) December 26, 2017
The 51-year-old will take over from Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, a Nobel Peace laureate and Liberia’s first elected female president.
Indeed, it was Sirleaf who beat Weah when he first ran for president in 2005.
Congratulations @GeorgeWeahOff ! Former Ballon D’or winner & Current President of Liberia #African_Players #Liberia2017 pic.twitter.com/jOy8VqKmD0
— CAF (@CAF_Online) December 27, 2017
Sirleaf will now step aside after two six-year terms in office after leading the often-turbulent country’s recovery from a 14-year civil war and having presided through an Ebola crisis that killed nearly 5,000 of her fellow countrymen and women in 2014/15.
Still, Weah scored ‘that’ goal against Hellas Verona in 1996, so we’re sure he’s perfectly qualified to take up the mantle.