It was a number that once sent stadiums into a frenzy, a symbol of grace, power, and sheer footballing genius. Yet, after years of solemn retirement, Liberia’s most famous jersey—the iconic #14—has found its way back onto the pitch, sparking heated discussions from Monrovia to football circles worldwide.
The historic number, made legendary by George M. Weah, Liberia’s footballing deity and former President, had been officially retired on September 12, 2018. That night at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex, Weah bid an emotional farewell in a friendly match against Nigeria, defying time and logic by donning the national colors one last time at the age of 51. Though Liberia fell 2-1 to the Super Eagles, the occasion marked the end of an era.
Or so it seemed.
On Wednesday, inside that same stadium, the fabled #14 resurfaced—this time on the back of Nicholas Andrews, a promising young forward from Liberian top-tier club Heaven Eleven. Andrews, brought on as a substitute in Liberia’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Tunisia, unknowingly became the focal point of a national controversy. The moment he stepped onto the pitch, whispers turned to roars as fans realized what they were witnessing. The hallowed jersey, once synonymous with the country’s greatest football export, had been dusted off and reassigned.
For some, it was a touching passing of the torch, a sign that the next generation would carry on Weah’s footballing legacy. For others, it was sacrilege—an abrupt undoing of an honor bestowed upon Liberia’s most celebrated sportsman. The debate erupted across social media, with pundits and fans divided on whether Weah’s achievements warranted a jersey retirement in the first place.
“Even Brazil, with five World Cup titles, has never retired a number,” a fan remarked, referencing Pelé’s legendary #10 that remains in circulation for the Selecão.
Sekou Konneh, Vice President for Administration at the Liberia Football Association (LFA), confirmed that the decision was made in conjunction with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, citing FIFA’s numbering regulations. “FIFA rules require that national team jerseys be numbered between 1 and 23,” Konneh explained. “Even the most revered numbers in football—Maradona’s #10 for Argentina, Pelé’s #10 for Brazil—remain active. This decision aligns with international best practices.”
A correspondence dated February 14 from the LFA to the Ministry of Youth and Sports reinforced this position, stating: “While we fully intend to comply with these regulations, we are faced with a unique challenge. The number 14 has been officially retired by the Government of Liberia in honor of former President George Manneh Weah, a national icon and former FIFA World Player of the Year. As such, we are unable to assign the number 14 to any player or replace it with a number higher than 23, as per FIFA’s numbering restrictions. Given this situation, we kindly seek your guidance on how to proceed.”
As the debate rages on, all eyes now turn to one man: George Weah. The question lingers—will the legend himself break his silence and weigh in on the controversy? Until then, the fate of Liberia’s most cherished jersey remains uncertain, caught in the crossroads of history, honor, and football’s ever-evolving traditions.
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