Antoine Semenyo: from London rejection to Ghana stardom and England reunion at the 2026 World Cup | OneFootball

London-born Antoine Semenyo, once so disillusioned he quit football as a teenager, has become Ghana’s headline act at the 2026 World Cup. He meets England, his birthplace, in Boston on Tuesday at 22:00 French time.

Ghana opened with a 1-0 win over Panama on 18 June. In The Times in October, he recalled taking a year out at 15 after relentless trials with Arsenal, Tottenham, Millwall and Crystal Palace.

An uncle nudged him towards a camp run by former striker David Hockaday. Out of shape but willing, he reignited his love for the game. Hockaday later described him as a competitor with dipped confidence but undimmed hunger.

He progressed through Bristol’s academy with patience, taking loans to Bath at 18, Newport County at 20 and Sunderland at 21. Back at Bristol in the Championship, he reached the Premier League at 23 by joining Bournemouth in January 2023.

Three years later he leapt to Manchester City for €75m, becoming Ghana’s costliest player after 110 games and 32 goals for Bournemouth. He was named the Premier League’s best player in February and hit the FA Cup final winner against Chelsea on 16 May, a 1-0 win.

Guided by stories of father Larry’s youth in Accra and his link with Tony Yeboah, he chose Ghana in 2022 while still in the Championship. He saw minutes at the 2022 World Cup and 2024 Africa Cup of Nations. A Didier Drogba devotee, he leads an attack missing Mohammed Kudus.

Source: L'Équipe