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Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey has revealed that he left Ghana for Europe with almost nothing apart from a football jersey and a pair of boots as he chased his dream of becoming a professional footballer.
Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey has revealed that he left Ghana for Europe with almost nothing apart from a football jersey and a pair of boots as he chased his dream of becoming a professional footballer.
Speaking in an interview with Kafui Dey, Partey recounted the circumstances surrounding his move from Ghana to Spain, describing how little he owned at the time.
According to the former Ghana international, arrangements for his move happened so quickly that he boarded a plane carrying only a pair of boots and a jacket.
“I only took one boot and one jacket. No bag, nothing,” he said.
When asked what it was like boarding an airplane for the first time, Partey said he was too exhausted to be nervous.
“I just slept. I was so tired. After Ashaiman and all this, aeroplane is nothing. It’s like chilling.”
The midfielder disclosed that he landed in Portugal before connecting to Spain, where he was immediately confronted by a weather condition he had never experienced before.
“I froze. It was cold.”
The footballer admitted he was completely unprepared for the European weather because he did not own suitable clothing.
“No jacket. I wear jersey. Ronaldinho jersey, Barcelona jersey, something with short pants.”
When Kafui Dey expressed surprise that he travelled without trousers, Partey explained that his financial situation at the time meant football equipment took priority over everything else.
“You don’t have. Where are you going to find it? The only thing I spend money on is new boots.”
He revealed that his father managed to secure money for a new pair of boots before his departure.
“My father brought new boots. I don’t know where he got that money from. God bless your father. I think he borrowed from someone.”
Partey’s story highlights the sacrifices and hardships many young African footballers endure in pursuit of opportunities abroad, with the midfielder eventually rising from humble beginnings in Ashaiman to become one of Ghana’s most successful football exports.
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