What Thomas Partey Had to Give Up to Make It: "You Have to Just Continue and Chase It"

Former Arsenal and Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey says achieving his football dream required him to sacrifice family life, childhood comforts and other personal interests in pursuit of a career in the sport.

In an interview with Kafui Dey, Partey reflected on the difficult decisions he made from a young age to focus on football.

The midfielder revealed that although he enjoyed drawing and painting while in school, he quickly abandoned the hobby because football had become his priority.

"My father took me to a painting shop one time," Partey said. "But I went only once."

Asked why he quit, Partey responded: "It was boring. My friends were going somewhere to play football and enjoy themselves while I would be sitting in the painting room."

The former Atletico Madrid star said football eventually became his way of expressing creativity.

"If I cannot paint with my hand, I have to paint with my feet," he said.

Partey's pursuit of football also meant spending long periods away from his family from an early age.

His move from his hometown of Odumase Krobo to Ashaiman as a child was particularly difficult for his mother, who was reluctant to see her son leave home.

"My mom tried to be protective," he said. "You hear your son, nine years old, is going to Ashaiman. Every mother will say no."

The sacrifices continued as he endured years of strict training regimes, military-style discipline and challenging living conditions at football camps.

Partey recalled waking up at 4 a.m. daily for training and facing punishments if performance standards were not met.

"There was a time we wanted to run away," he admitted.

Yet despite the hardships, Partey remained committed to his dream.

"By the grace of God, I'll be able to play and people see the talent. So I have to just continue and leave home and try to chase it," he said.

That commitment eventually paid off when he secured an opportunity to move to Spain, beginning a journey that would take him to Atletico Madrid, Arsenal and the Ghana national team.

Looking back, Partey believes the sacrifices were necessary.

"If not because of him, we would not be disciplined," he said while reflecting on the tough coaches who shaped his career.

For Partey, success was never accidental. It was built on years of sacrifice, discipline and an unwavering belief in his dream.