I couldn’t afford school fees or boots – John Paintsil reflects on tough childhood

Former Black Stars defender and current assistant coach of the national team, John Paintsil, has opened up about the struggles he faced growing up, offering an emotional insight into his early life.

In a heartfelt interview with MX24, Paintsil shared the challenges he overcame to pursue his dream of becoming a professional footballer.

As part of his journey to give back, Paintsil has established a football academy to support underprivileged youth who, like him, encounter obstacles in pursuing their passion.

The academy goes beyond developing talent on the pitch; it aims to provide young boys and girls with essential resources such as education, mentorship, and equipment.

“What inspired me to set up the John Paintsil Football Club and Academy is my constant reminder of where I come from. Growing up, I faced significant difficulties as my family did not have much money,” he shared.

The former Fulham defender further described how he struggled to afford necessities like school fees and football boots. These experiences motivated him to help young people in similar situations.

“It was incredibly challenging to pay school fees, find opportunities to play football, and even get football boots. The environment to play football was often inaccessible. I believe there are young people who deserve the freedom to play but lack the means. This drove me to take the initiative,” he added.

Despite these hardships, Paintsil rose through the ranks to represent Ghana on the global stage, making appearances in multiple World Cups. He now returns to the team in a leadership capacity.

Watch the interview below:

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