In the second edition of The Translator, Steve Amoia brings to us in English the revelations of Abedi Pelé Ayew. After receiving a Golden Foot Career Award in Montecarlo on Monday, the Ghanaian spoke about his past with and lasting affection for Torino FC, the current status of the African game and his fondest memories in the Champions League.
Most of the footballing world, regardless of age and locale, knows the legendary name of Pelé. But more than one great talent has been known by this fabled name. Abedi Pelé Ayew was one of the most decorated African players of all-time. He was born in Dome, Ghana, near Accra, and would play professionally in France, Germany, Ghana, Italy, Qatar, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates.
According to The Daily Observer, Ayew was the captain of the Black Stars of Ghana for six years, making 73 appearances and scoring 33 goals. He won the prestigious African Player of the Year award by France Football on three consecutive occasions, and had the most appearances ever in the Africa Cup of Nations (1).
While at the ceremony, Pietro Razzini of La Gazzetta dello Sport spoke with Abedi Pelé Ayew about his time with Torino and other themes. The following is a translation of their conversation:
On His Special Relationship with the Torino Supporters
Abedi Pelé played all over the world; however, his time in the Serie A with Torino forged a strong bond with the fans.
“I tifosi del Torino sono magnifici: I love them so much”.
“The Torino fans are magnificent. I love them so much.”
“Mi hanno sempre sostenuto, mi hanno amato in ogni momento. Ricordo con grande piacere il rapporto che avevamo instaurato: il primo anno a dicembre mi hanno regalato un vestito da Babbo Natale e mi hanno obbligato a indossarlo”.
“They always supported me. They have always loved me. I recall with great pleasure how the rapport that we had began: In the first year in December, they gave me a Santa Claus costume and forced me to wear it.”
On Following Torino
“Lo so: mi informo sempre sui suoi risultati. Sono un vero tifoso del Toro. Spero con tutto il cuore che torni nel massimo campionato italiano perché è l’unico posto adatto a una società importante come quella piemontese. Sono convinto che sia l’anno buono”.
“I always keep up with their results. I’m a real fan of Torino. I hope with all of my heart that Torino returns to the Serie A because it’s the only place adapted to such an important club as the Piedmont side. I’m convinced that it will be a good year.”
On African Football
“Il Mondiale in Sudafrica è stato un passo fondamentale: il Ghana è riuscito ad ottenere il migliore risultato di tutti i tempi per una nazionale del nostro continente con i quarti di finale. Il gap con le realtà europee e sudamericane si sta assottigliando: sono convinto che in Brasile, nel 2014, saremo al loro livello”.
“The World Cup in South Africa was a fundamental step. Ghana was able to obtain the best result of all times for a national team from our continent by reaching the quarterfinals. The gap with the European and South American reality is diminishing. I’m convinced that at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, we’ll be at their level.”
On a Special Champions League Memory
Nel passato di Abédi Pelé c’è anche una Champions League conquistata con l’Olympique Marsiglia nella stagione 1992-93:
“Abbiamo sconfitto il grande Milan. Baresi, Maldini, Rijkaard, Van Basten: si trattava di una squadra super. Noi eravamo solo l’OM. Quel match fu la riproposizione calcistica dell’episodio biblico tra Davide e Golia: ho battuto il calcio d’angolo e ho trovato la testa di Boli in piena area di rigore. Un gol indimenticabile: quell’azione scorre nella mia mente ogni giorno ed è sempre emozionante”.
“In the past, Abedi Pelé also won a UEFA Champions League with Olympique de Marseille in the 1992/93 season:
‘We beat the great Milan team. Franco Baresi, Paolo Maldini, Frank Rijkaard and Marco Van Basten: You were against a super team. We were only Olympique de Marseille. That match was the footballing equivalent of the Biblical story of David and Goliath. I kicked a corner kick and found the head of Boli in the penalty area. It was an unforgettable goal. That action flashes in my head every day and is always emotional.’”
On Kevin-Prince Boateng of Ghana and AC Milan
Ora, per il popolo della sua terra, Milan è sinonimo di Kevin Prince Boateng: “Great player”, afferma immediatamente: “E’ forte fisicamente e abile tatticamente. E’ una persona caparbia: vuole sempre raggiungere l’obiettivo che si prefigge. A Milano ha trovato l’ambiente giusto per fare il definitivo salto di qualità”.
“Now, for the people of his own land, Milan is synonymous with Kevin-Prince Boateng. Right away, he affirms that Boateng is a ‘Great player’:
‘He is strong physically and tactically competent. He is a stubborn person. He always wants to reach his intended objective. At Milan, he has found the right environment to make a definite leap in quality.’”
(1) “Sports Profile: Abedi Pelé, A Football Legend”; Daily Observer; 18 June 2008.
Steve Amoia is a freelance writer, book reviewer and translator from Washington, D.C. He is the founder of World Football Commentaries. He has written and translated for AC Cugini Scuola Calcio (Italian soccer school), Beyond The Pitch, Football Media, Italian Soccer Serie A, Keeper Skool, Serie A Weekly and Soccerlens. You can follow Steve @worldfootballcm on Twitter.