By Daily Sports Nigeria on October 25, 2023

Not yet born when Liberian George Weah won the Ballon d’Or and FIFA Player award, 14-year-old football prodigy, Patrick Solanke, says he is ready to achieve that feat for Africa again.

Weah, now President of Liberia, was named the best player in the world in 1995, 14 years before the birth of the youngster and he remains the only African footballer to have won the Ballon d’Or or FIFA award till date.

If Solanke’s words are anything to go by, that sole honour held by Weah is now under threat after the kid confidently said he could bring the coveted honour to Nigeria and Africa.

The young striker, who wears jersey No.55 and plays in the No.9 position disclosed that he adores Lionel Messi for his uability to outwit opponents, Neymar Jr for his brilliance and flair, and of course, Cristiano Ronaldo for his strength, pace, discipline and hard work.

“I love Ronaldo, Messi and Neymar. And like Ronaldo and Messi, I want to win the Ballon d’Or. My dad told me George Weah of Liberia is the only African footballer to have won the Ballon d’Or.

“Like my idols Messi and Ronaldo, I believe that with more hard work, discipline, perseverance, dedication and focus, I can bring home the honour in the nearest future,” Solanke said.

Solanke fondly called ‘NIMI’, who turned 14 in August, presently plays with the first team of Ogun State-based NLO 1 side, Olumo United, a team he joined at 11.

He is one of the most exciting football kids in Lagos and has taken his unbelievable football skills and goal scoring prowess to Ogun State, where he has converted many football fans to his growing fan base.

Speaking on the journey of Solanke in football, his father and founder of Football Academy Provazios, Segun Solanke, revealed that he enrolled him in the academy at the age of four, and since then, the teenager’s young career has been enjoying tremendous growth and progress.

“NIMI’s strengths are his ability to use both legs, his setpiece techniques and unbelievable goals scoring ability. Therefore, we decided to register him to play in the league as we believe it’s the right exposure and experience for him to build on. He pursues his career in football, while he aims to be a global star of the game soon.

“In the next five years, we believe he would have become the youngest Nigerian to play for the Super Eagles and also playing in one of the topflight leagues around the world. And particularly, for Real Madrid, as the wonder boy from Nigeria,” Segun said.

In Solanke’s story, there is inspiration for all aspiring footballers, a reminder that age is no barrier to dreams and that with the right mix of talent, hard work, and determination, the future is boundless.

The journey has only just begun for this young prodigy, and as he continues to take each step, only time will tell if the future holds the realisation of a dream that is as audacious as it is admirable – the dream of a second Ballon d’Or winner from Africa.

Source Punch Ng

Posted October 25, 2023

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