That player is George Weah, the Liberian striker who won the Ballon d’Or in 1995 after standout performances with Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan. His victory was historic, as that year marked the first time players from outside Europe were eligible for the award.

Three decades later, he remains the only winner. Several African stars have come close to following in his footsteps, including Senegal’s Sadio Mane, who finished second in 2022, and other leading names who have earned places on the shortlist.

Which African players have come closest to winning the Ballon d’Or?

Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto’o are among the African players who have come closest to winning the Ballon d’Or, with Mane recording the best finish by an African player since George Weah’s 1995 triumph.

Sadio Mane: Second Place in 2022

Mane came closest to matching Weah when he finished second in the 2022 Ballon d’Or voting, behind Benzema. His season included major contributions to Liverpool’s domestic cup victories and Senegal’s first Africa Cup of Nations title in February 2022. His performances for club and country made him the highest-ranked African player since Weah’s historic win.

Mohamed Salah: Fourth Place in 2025

Salah recorded his best-ever Ballon d’Or finish in 2025, placing fourth after an outstanding season with Liverpool. The Egyptian forward had previously finished fifth in both 2019 and 2022, along with sixth in 2018. His fourth-place result put him among the most successful African contenders in the award’s history, although he remained outside the top three.

Didier Drogba: Fourth Place in 2007

Drogba finished fourth in the 2007 Ballon d’Or, behind winner Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. The Ivory Coast striker was a key figure for Chelsea and established himself as one of the most influential forwards in European soccer. He also recorded several other top-10 finishes, including eighth place in 2006 and 2012.

Samuel Eto’o: Fifth Place in 2009

Eto’o’s highest finish came in 2009, when he ranked fifth in the Ballon d’Or voting after helping Barcelona win the treble of La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League. The Cameroon international scored consistently throughout the campaign and remains one of Africa’s most decorated forwards. He also finished sixth in 2006 and eighth in 2011.

Other African players who reached the top 10

Although Weah remains the only African player to win the men’s Ballon d’Or, Mane’s runner-up finish and Salah’s fourth-place result show how close other stars have come to joining him. Several other African stars have earned places among the award’s leading contenders:

• Achraf Hakimi (Morocco): Finished sixth in 2025, strengthening his status as one of the continent’s leading modern players.
• Riyad Mahrez (Algeria): Placed seventh in 2016 after playing a central role in Leicester City’s unexpected Premier League title win.
• Victor Osimhen (Nigeria): Finished eighth in 2023 after helping Napoli win Serie A for the first time in 33 years.
• Ademola Lookman (Nigeria): Ranked 14th in 2024 after scoring a hat trick in Atalanta’s Europa League final victory.

Key takeaways

• Only one player representing an African nation has won the men’s Ballon d’Or.
• George Weah won the historic award in 1995 for Liberia.
• Sadio Mane finished second in 2022, marking Africa’s highest finish since 1995.

The answer is yes—Timothy is the son of George Weah, the legendary Liberian striker who won the 1995 Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year before later serving as President of Liberia.

Despite growing up in the shadow of one of soccer’s greatest icons, Timothy has forged his own career, progressing through Paris Saint-Germain‘s academy and establishing himself as a key player for both club and the USMNT.

Who is George Weah?

George Weah is one of the greatest African soccer players of all time. The Liberian icon won the 1995 Ballon d’Or, becoming the first—and still the only—African player to receive the prestigious award.

He also earned the FIFA World Player of the Year honor that same year after starring for some of Europe’s biggest clubs. He enjoyed a legendary club career with AS Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan, Chelsea and Manchester City.

His combination of pace, strength and finishing ability made him one of the world’s most feared strikers throughout the 1990s, particularly during his time with AC Milan, where he won two Serie A titles.

After retiring from soccer, he entered politics in his home country. He was elected President of Liberia in 2017 and served from 2018 to 2024, becoming one of the few world-class athletes to later become a head of state.

Although Liberia never qualified for a FIFA World Cup during his playing career, George has been able to experience the tournament through his son’s appearances with the United States.

Who is Timothy Weah’s mother?

Timothy Weah’s mother is Clar Weah, a Jamaican-American businesswoman, philanthropist, and former First Lady of Liberia. Born Clar Marie Duncan in Kingston, Jamaica, she later moved to the United States.

Clar has played a significant role in Timothy’s development both on and off the field. According to the U.S. Soccer Federation, she was one of his earliest coaches and helped nurture his passion for the game while the family lived in New York.

When George Weah became Liberia’s president, Clar served as the country’s First Lady. During her time in the role, she promoted initiatives focused on women’s empowerment, health care and youth development.

What nationality is Timothy Weah?

Timothy Weah is an American citizen who represents the United States internationally, but he comes from a multicultural family with Liberian and Jamaican roots. He was born on February 22, 2000, in Brooklyn, New York. The USMNT has players born outside the USA on its 2026 World Cup squad, but Weah isn’t among that group.

Because of his family’s background and his upbringing, he was eligible to represent several countries. His father’s nationality gave him eligibility for Liberia, while his mother’s heritage connected him to Jamaica.

After moving to France as a teenager to join the Paris Saint-Germain academy, he also became eligible for France under FIFA regulations after meeting residency requirements.

Despite having multiple options, he chose to represent the United States throughout his youth career before making his senior USMNT debut in 2018. He has since become one of the team’s most important attacking players.

Why does Timothy Weah play for the USMNT instead of Liberia?

Timothy Weah plays for the USMNT because he was born and raised in the United States and chose to represent his birth country despite being eligible for Liberia, Jamaica, and later France.

He began representing the U.S. at the youth level and quickly became one of the country’s brightest prospects. He starred for the U-17 USMNT, scoring a hat trick at the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup, before earning his senior debut at just 18 years.

For example, Zidane, Simeone, Weah, Kluivert, or Thuram are names that already belonged to soccer history, and now they return to the biggest showcase on the planet, but with a new generation as the protagonist. The names looking for their own legacy are the following:

• Luca Zidane, son of Zinedine Zidane
• Timothy Weah, son of George Weah
• Justin Kluivert, son of Patrick Kluivert
• Marcus Thuram, son of Lilian Thuram
• Giuliano Simeone, son of Diego Simeone
• Erling Haaland, son of Alfie Haaland
• Nico Paz, son of Pablo Paz
• Francisco Conceicao, son of Sergio Conceicao
• Lee Taesok, son of Lee Eul-yong

The names with the most pressure

There are definitely sons who carry more pressure due to the weight of their last name, and it is necessary to start with Luca Zidane. He is the son of Zinedine Zidane, a world champion with France in 1998, author of two goals in that final against Brazil, and one of the great symbols of the recent history of European soccer.

His last name needs no context, as it is enough to read “Zidane” for the memory to automatically travel to a victorious France, the 1998 Ballon d’Or, Real Madrid, and one of the most elegant figures soccer has ever produced.

The case of Luca Zidane is somewhat different. He will not defend France, the squads with which his father touched glory, but rather Algeria, squads linked to his family roots. The 28-year-old goalkeeper, born in Marseille, does not arrive at the World Cup as a top-tier media star, but he certainly stands out as one of the names that can generate the most headlines.

Timothy Weah, the son of a Ballon d’Or winner without a World Cup

His father, George Weah, was the Ballon d’Or winner in 1995 and remains one of the greatest legends in African soccer history. He shone in Europe, left a lasting mark on historic clubs, and became an icon far beyond Liberia.

He made the leap to Europe with AS Monaco, where he began to draw attention for his power, speed, and scoring ability. Afterward, he played for PSG and reached his peak with AC Milan, a period during which he became a Ballon d’Or recipient. He also spent time with Chelsea, Manchester City, and Olympique de Marseille; however, he never played in a World Cup with his teams.

His son, Timothy Weah, will do so, but representing the United States. The 26-year-old New York City player already possesses international experience and does not arrive merely as a family curiosity, as his last name carries something truly special.

Justin Kluivert, the last name of a historic goalscorer

He is the son of Patrick Kluivert, who was one of the great Dutch forwards of his era. He developed at Ajax, where he was a protagonist in the 1995 Champions League, scoring the decisive goal in the final against AC Milan. Afterward, he played for AC Milan, but his most remembered stint was with FC Barcelona, where he served as one of the main offensive references for several seasons.

Marcus Thuram, the heir of a World Champion

Marcus Thuram carries one of the most recognizable last names in French soccer. His father, Lilian Thuram, was a world champion with France in 1998, a European champion in 2000, and one of the most important defenders of his generation.

He developed at AS Monaco, moved afterward to Parma, then signed with Juventus, where he was one of the best defenders in the world, and finally closed his career as a player with FC Barcelona. His son, however, has built his career from a completely different part of the field: the attack. Just like them, there are also the previously mentioned players, but from a soccer perspective, there is no such noticeable demand attached to their last names.

Tim Weah was born in Brooklyn, New York where his famous father owned a home, George always mentioned his love for New York, way back during his AC Milan days. George Weah would become known as one of the greatest African soccer players ever.

George Weah also is considered one of the greatest soccer players never to play a World Cup, his son Tim did one better not only did he play in a World Cup he scored a typical goal his father would have against Wales.

Are George and Timothy Weah related?

Like his father Tim Weah played for PSG, and despite rave reviews the young Weah would see limited playing time and was loaned to Celtic before being sold to Lille. Like his dad Weah has won titles, 7 titles in his short career.

George Weah is currently the President of Liberia, his country of birth, and was photographed with his son after the USMNT game against Wales. Tim Weah has 2 other direct siblings and a half sibling from father George’s previous relationship.