Mohammed Salisu recounts how he ended up playing football against his mum’s will

Ghana and Southampton towering defender Mohammed Salisu has opened up how he ended up playing football against his mother’s will.

Salisu, who disclosed he had no boots when African Talent Football Academy handed him trial in March 2017 has hit the ground running and is considered as one of the best defenders in England.

He had stints with West African Football Academy between 2013 and 2015 before departing for greener pastures.

The 21-year-old left Ghana to join Spanish club Real Valladolid before securing a move to Premier League side Southampton in 2020.

The enterprising defender who had a torrid campaign in his first season with the Saints due to injuries has become a key cog for the side in the ongoing 2021/22 season.

He has featured 9 times in all competitions for the club with some descent performance.

Sharing light about his career, the Ghanaian defender disclosed he had to skip classes to play football, a decision which did not go down well with his mother.

Despite admitting his mother had no interest in seeing him become a footballer, he has revealed his mother now feels proud of him after making it to the top.

“I always dreamed of becoming a footballer since I was a child,” he the official club website.

“I used to play on the sand pitches with no boots. I always want to play football even when my parents wanted me to go to school. My mum took my shoes and spoilt them because I didn’t go to school.”

“This is a dream come true – playing in the sand without boots and ending up here in the Premier League, I am very proud of what I have achieved in my life,” he added.

Asked if the family is proud of him now, he said, “Yh, especially my mum, she is very proud. I remember she sometimes cry because of me when I don’t go to school because she always pays the money but I don’t go to school”

“But now she is a happy woman and she is very proud” he said.