Ex-Ballon d’Or winner, George Weah elected Liberia President

George Weah has won Liberia’s election for a new president, succeeding Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

The 1995 Fifa Ballon d’Or winner and three-time African Player of the Year defeated 73-year-old Joseph Boakai to become the country’s 25th president.

Weah succeeds Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who is the first elected female head of state in Africa.

It is with deep emotion that I want to thank you, the Liberian people, for honoring me with your vote today. It is a great hope. #Liberia #Liberia2017 — George Weah (@GeorgeWeahOff) December 26, 2017

Congratulations @GeorgeWeahOff! Former Ballon D’or winner & Current President of Liberia #African_Players #Liberia2017

— CAF (@CAF_Online) December 27, 2017

The AC Milan legend had indeed reaped the most votes in the first round of voting but he nonetheless failed to meet the required amount to secure election.

And as a result, faced a run-off against the current vice-president, the Unity Party candidate Joseph Boakai – defeating him by clinching 12 of the 15 counties in the West African country.

Weah ran for vice-president in 2011 and went on to easily win a seat at the senate in 2014 – beating the son of President Sirleaf, Robert, by clinching 78 per cent of the votes in Montserrado County, which holds the country’s capital, Monrovia.