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President Weah in surprise return to football as Nigeria defeat Liberia
News & Trends •
reutersnan liberia president and former world footballer of the year george weah made a surprise return to international competition in monrovia on tuesday playing in the countrys 2-1 loss to nigeria1 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 weah1 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 instead1 media reports said weah led the attack and showed glimpses of the class that made him a household name around the world1 he received a standing ovation from fans when he was substituted on 79 minutes1 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 game1 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 italy1 he also played for english sides manchester city and chelsea1 weah was named the 1995 world footballer of the year he also won the ballon dor in the same year and remains the only african to win either award1 his popularity from his playing career saw him secure a landslide run-off win last december in liberias presidential elections1