KALLON: WAR AND WEAH INFLUENCE ME
INTERNAZIONALE'S man of the moment Mohammed Kallon has told planetfootball that the war in his native Sierra Leone has had a massive impact on him - and that he idolises former Milan icon George Weah.
Kallon scored the penalty winner in Torino that gave his side both a 1-0 victory and a place at the top of the Serie A table.
The African star has been in scintillating form through the pre-season, and impressed new coach Hector Cuper with his work-rate and enthusiasm.
Kallon has spent the past few seasons loaned away from the Giuseppe Meazza, but quickly stated his intention to prove his worth for the club that owns him - and appears to be on the right path.
"When I was a kid I idolised George Weah and Roberto Baggio," Kallon told planetfootball. "I saw Weah for the first time when I was seven.
"Weah is a father figure for me. Everybody in Africa idolises him because he has achieved such extraordinary things.
"Just think, he won the African Player of the Year four times and even the European Player of the Year. He is truly incomparable.
"It is a pity that he arrived a little late in Italy, although I remember him pretty much single-handedly winning the title for Milan in 1996.
"I arrived in Italy in 1995 and I knew nothing about it. I was told many things, but, as soon as I arrived, I was sent to Lugano in Switzerland.
"When I arrived back, after eight months, I was lucky enough to play in Bologna with Roby Baggio. The coach was Renzo Ulivieri - it was fabulous!
"My best season was the one I spent with Cagliari, but my worst was being relegated with Vicenza in the last campaign.
"Football means everything in Milan - football and fashion. Now Milan has two big teams challenging for honours it is amazing. I can't wait until the derby!
"For me my country Sierra Leone means everything to me. I am really very proud. I have just had a new house built, but in Gambia not my nation because of the troubles.
"I lost family and a lot of friends in the war. It was terrible.
"The war began in 1989. People were killed in the streets - it was unbelievable.
"My close family - thank goodness - were a little way out in Freetown, near the sea."
Racism is still a burning issue in the Italian league, but Kallon goes on to state that only away fans give him any abuse.
"When we visit other grounds, the opposition fans sometimes boo me. But this only serves to make me even stronger," added the brilliant marksman who thinks that the team's form has helped him top the scoring charts.
"I think that a little bit of everything has made me top-scorer so far," concluded Kallon. "The team are going well, I worked really hard in the summer, the coach has helped me and I have got both the confidence and and almost revenge-like desire to prove that I can be a success here."
