Former Ghanaian international Ahmed Barusso has opened up about his struggles as a child.
Barusso, who always dreamed of becoming a footballer, faced opposition from his father, who strongly disapproved of his pursuit of a football career.
Although his father has passed away, Barusso revealed that their strained relationship often led to conflict, with his father sometimes subjecting him to abuse.
In an interview with Dan Kwaku Yeboah TV, the former AS Roma midfielder recounted how his disobedience resulted in him being sent back to his father, where he endured further hardships.
“I ran away from home after being whipped by my grandparents, and as a result, they sent me back to my father in Winneba. What I experienced there was hard to bear. He would leave me without food for a week, and I often had to go to school on an empty stomach,” he said.
Barusso also shared how financial struggles forced him to jog to training sessions, a challenge that fueled his determination to succeed.
“I used to live in West Legon, and without proper footwear, I had to tie my ‘Chalewote’ sandals and jog from there to Kissiman, even with a foot injury. I motivated myself to use that as inspiration. When I had the opportunity to move to Italy, I played with great determination because returning to Ghana without a club was not an option,” he added.
Barusso’s breakthrough came when his trials at Manfredonia were successful, earning him a contract with the club in 2006.
In 2007, his talent earned him a move to Serie A giants AS Roma, marking the beginning of his rise to fame.
His performances at AS Roma earned him a spot on Ghana’s national team for the 2008 African Cup of Nations.
After the tournament, Turkish giants Galatasaray signed him, where he won the Turkish Championship and scored a goal for the club.
Barusso’s career included spells at notable Italian clubs such as Genoa, Torino, and Livorno, leaving a lasting legacy in football despite his challenging beginnings.
Watch Ahmed Barusso share his ordeal from 10th to 30th minute below:
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