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I would love to play for Manchester United one day, Diego Maradona is my hero – Ghana’s Jonathan Mensah
The young defender reveals all about his life; from how he was miraculously scouted to how a penalty he caused at the 2010 World Cup almost shattered him
Sep 20, 2011 10:03:00 AM
Getty Images
EXCLUSIVE
By Juliet Bawuah
Ghana and Evian Thonon Gaillard defender Jonathan Mensah opens up to Goal.com and tells us all about his childhood, his football career, the funniest person in the national team, the car he uses and why American R&B superstar Beyonce is a woman he admires.
Below is the full interview he granted from his France base.
Goal.com: How did you get to Ashgold?
Jonathan Mensah: It was a miracle. I was in action on the field for my former school Obuasi Secondary School and lo and behold the coach of Ashgold at that time, David Duncan, was there to watch. After the game he came straight to me and said he wanted me to train with Ashgold. It was like a dream because I didn’t believe all that was happening at a very short time.
Goal.com: How was that experience?
JM: It was one of the biggest things that started in my life. I was like ‘wow me playing with the people I used to watch play?’ That was a big thing for me and my family because my family wanted me to do what I like most and that was playing soccer. The more you stay with elderly people; the more you learn so I used to listen to their good advice and it is helping me in my career now and I thank them for their mentorship and their encouragement.
Goal.com: What players did you play with at Ashgold?
JM: I met some great players that used to play for the national team like the current captain of Ashgold Daniel Asamoah, Prince Antwi, ES Setif’s Alex Asamoah, Medeama SC’s Joseph Hendrich; Al-Ahly’s Opoku Agyemang; Standard Liege’s Daniel Opare and a whole lot of them and they were very nice to me because I was one of the youngest in the team. So I was really happy the way I was loved by my team.
Goal.com: Did you have a nickname?
JM: It was always just Jona or Jojo when I was growing up.
Goal.com: Were you a good student back in school?
JM: My school report was 50/50; in fact it was good. But I always intended to become a footballer.
Goal.com: Which team did you support as a boy?
JM: Liverpool because I just loved them; the way they play and their players like Steven Gerrard, a top player.
Goal.com: What are your strengths?
JM: I stick to the basics and I’m strong with the ball. I’m fast too. It helps me to read a game.
Goal.com: Do you have any weaknesses on the pitch?
JM: I think I had a few problems when a team plays fast, but I’m improving on that
because you need to be thinking all the time; if you switch off for just one second, you will be in trouble. Strikers surely have the movement and normally worry defenders so I have learnt to take my game to another level.
Goal.com: Who are your heroes?
JM: George Weah, Diego Maradona, Marcel Desailly. I watch their videos a lot.
Goal.com: What are the highlights of your career?
JM: With this one I don’t even have to think of it; surely it was when I helped the Black Satellites to win the Under 20 World Cup and got invited to join the Black Stars for the 2010 African Cup of Nations in Angola and later playing at the World Cup was a great achievement and the biggest moment of my life.
Goal.com: Have there been any low moments in your career?
JM: I don't really remember but I think after the World Cup I went to play in Spain (Granada) and they always gave me play time but all of a sudden, they relegated me to the bench; no reasons given. That was very bad for me
Goal.com: Who is the best player you have played with?
JM: I haven't played many games with Isaac Vorsah, but I love to pair with him. I always learn something new.
Goal.com: Which best player(s) have you played against?
JM: Players like Mesut Ozil, Ronaldinho, London Donavan and Obi Defoe.
Goal.com: What has been the most embarrassing moment in your career?
JM: When I caused a penalty against the USA at the Round of 16 in the 2010 Fifa World Cup. I was so embarrassed. I kept thinking about what the reaction would be back home so when Asamoah Gyan got the winner in the second half I got a bit relieved.
Goal.com: Best advice received?
JM: From my mum; she told me to ‘have faith in myself’.
Goal.com: Who would you say is the funniest guy in the Black Stars team?
JM: People don’t know but the real joker in the stars team is Kwadwo Asamoah; he's a hell of a funny guy.
Goal.com: Which woman do you admire most in the world?
JM: Without the slightest shade of doubt, Beyonce Giselle Knowles.
Goal.com: What do you do in your spare time?
JM: I go on the net and read on football related things to enhance my knowledge about the game and sometimes watch movies.
Goal.com: What car do you drive?
JM: I love simple things so I drive a Toyota.
Goal.com: Your favourite TV programme?
JM: Diva’s show.
Goal.com: Can you describe yourself in five words?
JM: Blessed, Humble, funny, ambitious, composed.
Goal.com: What would you have become had you not been a footballer?
JM: I would have been a pastor because I love God.
Goal.com: Where do you envisage yourself being in five years?
JM: I want to see myself playing for top teams in Europe like Manchester United or Manchester City.
By Juliet Bawuah
Ghana and Evian Thonon Gaillard defender Jonathan Mensah opens up to Goal.com and tells us all about his childhood, his football career, the funniest person in the national team, the car he uses and why American R&B superstar Beyonce is a woman he admires.
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Below is the full interview he granted from his France base.
Goal.com: How did you get to Ashgold?
Jonathan Mensah: It was a miracle. I was in action on the field for my former school Obuasi Secondary School and lo and behold the coach of Ashgold at that time, David Duncan, was there to watch. After the game he came straight to me and said he wanted me to train with Ashgold. It was like a dream because I didn’t believe all that was happening at a very short time.
Goal.com: How was that experience?
JM: It was one of the biggest things that started in my life. I was like ‘wow me playing with the people I used to watch play?’ That was a big thing for me and my family because my family wanted me to do what I like most and that was playing soccer. The more you stay with elderly people; the more you learn so I used to listen to their good advice and it is helping me in my career now and I thank them for their mentorship and their encouragement.
Goal.com: What players did you play with at Ashgold?
JM: I met some great players that used to play for the national team like the current captain of Ashgold Daniel Asamoah, Prince Antwi, ES Setif’s Alex Asamoah, Medeama SC’s Joseph Hendrich; Al-Ahly’s Opoku Agyemang; Standard Liege’s Daniel Opare and a whole lot of them and they were very nice to me because I was one of the youngest in the team. So I was really happy the way I was loved by my team.
Goal.com: Did you have a nickname?
JM: It was always just Jona or Jojo when I was growing up.
Goal.com: Were you a good student back in school?
JM: My school report was 50/50; in fact it was good. But I always intended to become a footballer.
Goal.com: Which team did you support as a boy?
JM: Liverpool because I just loved them; the way they play and their players like Steven Gerrard, a top player.
Goal.com: What are your strengths?
JM: I stick to the basics and I’m strong with the ball. I’m fast too. It helps me to read a game.
Goal.com: Do you have any weaknesses on the pitch?
JM: I think I had a few problems when a team plays fast, but I’m improving on that
because you need to be thinking all the time; if you switch off for just one second, you will be in trouble. Strikers surely have the movement and normally worry defenders so I have learnt to take my game to another level.
 |
When I caused a penalty against the USA at the Round of 16 in the 2010 Fifa World Cup. I was so embarrassed. I kept thinking about what the reaction would be back home. - Jonathan Mensah
|
JM: George Weah, Diego Maradona, Marcel Desailly. I watch their videos a lot.
Goal.com: What are the highlights of your career?
JM: With this one I don’t even have to think of it; surely it was when I helped the Black Satellites to win the Under 20 World Cup and got invited to join the Black Stars for the 2010 African Cup of Nations in Angola and later playing at the World Cup was a great achievement and the biggest moment of my life.
Goal.com: Have there been any low moments in your career?
JM: I don't really remember but I think after the World Cup I went to play in Spain (Granada) and they always gave me play time but all of a sudden, they relegated me to the bench; no reasons given. That was very bad for me
Goal.com: Who is the best player you have played with?
JM: I haven't played many games with Isaac Vorsah, but I love to pair with him. I always learn something new.
Goal.com: Which best player(s) have you played against?
JM: Players like Mesut Ozil, Ronaldinho, London Donavan and Obi Defoe.
Goal.com: What has been the most embarrassing moment in your career?
JM: When I caused a penalty against the USA at the Round of 16 in the 2010 Fifa World Cup. I was so embarrassed. I kept thinking about what the reaction would be back home so when Asamoah Gyan got the winner in the second half I got a bit relieved.
Goal.com: Best advice received?
JM: From my mum; she told me to ‘have faith in myself’.
Celebration time | Kwadwo Asamoah described as funniest Ghana player
Goal.com: Who would you say is the funniest guy in the Black Stars team?
JM: People don’t know but the real joker in the stars team is Kwadwo Asamoah; he's a hell of a funny guy.
Goal.com: Which woman do you admire most in the world?
JM: Without the slightest shade of doubt, Beyonce Giselle Knowles.
Goal.com: What do you do in your spare time?
JM: I go on the net and read on football related things to enhance my knowledge about the game and sometimes watch movies.
Goal.com: What car do you drive?
JM: I love simple things so I drive a Toyota.
Goal.com: Your favourite TV programme?
JM: Diva’s show.
Goal.com: Can you describe yourself in five words?
JM: Blessed, Humble, funny, ambitious, composed.
Goal.com: What would you have become had you not been a footballer?
JM: I would have been a pastor because I love God.
Goal.com: Where do you envisage yourself being in five years?
JM: I want to see myself playing for top teams in Europe like Manchester United or Manchester City.
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
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| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
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