Ghanaian football icon Abedi Pele is celebrated primarily for his distinctive style of play and accomplishments, which led him to secure the African Player of the Year title on three separate occasions.
Nonetheless, a significant shortcoming noted by former Ghana national team player Prince Polley was his failure to bring together the players he captained.
In an interview with Kessben TV, Polley revealed that Pele’s exceptional skills and stature made him desire validation and recognition from his fellow teammates.
Unfortunately, his peers did not consistently offer him the admiration he sought, which fostered a negative atmosphere within the squad.
“At his prime with Marseille, he ranked among the elite players globally. Yet, once he joined the team, he transformed into someone more withdrawn and disengaged. This posed a red flag for his leadership as he failed to uplift or unify the players.
“Rather, he appeared to seek adoration and recognition, leading to rifts among us. We often found ourselves in distinct groups, and this lack of cohesion was detrimental to our team spirit,” he commented.
Additionally, he compared Pele’s approach to leadership with that of Stephen Appiah.
“I believe Pele’s principal drawback was his way of leading. I see a stark contrast when compared to Stephen Appiah, who was a remarkable captain,” he continued.
