They say "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree," and few stories in African football capture that better than the Ayew family saga.
Jordan Ayew, now playing his trade at Leicester City and boasting over 300 Premier League appearances, recently opened up about the indelible influence of his father, none other than Ghanaian football royalty, Abedi Pele Ayew. For those who know African football, Abedi isn’t just a former star; he’s a legend, a trailblazer, a three-time African Footballer of the Year whose name still echoes from Accra to Marseille.
Speaking to Leicester’s club media, Jordan didn’t mince words about his father’s impact:
"My dad has done a lot, not only for me, but for my whole family. It’s not easy to come after your father in the sense of expectations being so high back home and even in Europe."
It’s a sentiment many second-generation athletes understand. When your father is a footballing icon, you're not just playing the game, you’re playing in the shadow of greatness. “Heavy is the head that wears the crown,” but Jordan and his older brother, Andre, have worn it with resilience.
From Ghana’s dusty pitches to the hallowed grounds of Olympique Marseille, where both brothers once laced up just as their father did, the Ayews have continued the family tradition with pride and perseverance.
"I think my brother and I have coped well with it," Jordan added. "We’ve tried to focus on ourselves and ensure that we have our journey."
That journey has been anything but ordinary. Andre captains the Black Stars, and Jordan’s Premier League mileage speaks for itself. While comparisons to their father are inevitable, their careers have carved new chapters in the Ayew legacy.
And of course, behind every great man, especially in sports, there’s often a mother holding the emotional center. Jordan’s tribute to his mom was warm and humble: "My mum tells me that, but mums are always positive! Personally, that’s how I feel, that my parents can be proud of the journey my brother and I have made."
It’s a simple truth in life and sport alike: "Behind every successful child is a parent who believed in them first."
As for the road ahead? Jordan isn’t putting a full stop on anything just yet.
"There’s still more to come from us, and hopefully we can give them more moments to enjoy."
And why not? After all, "it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish." And the Ayew story, it seems, still has plenty of pages left to turn.
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