«I'm 100% a New Yorker» - Interview to Timothy Weah We talked to him in anticipation of the 2026 World Cup

Timothy Weah is the son of George Weah, the legendary footballer who won the Ballon d'Or in 1995. He has Liberian roots and Jamaican ancestry through his mother. When asked how he reconciles these different elements, however, he replies without hesitation: "I'm 100% a New Yorker." This is the strongest answer we get from him as we talk in anticipation of the 2026 World Cup, which is set to take place in the United States: "It's another dream come true - he tell us -. I can't live without a dream, times two, since this is my second one. Having it on home soil is an amazing feeling, being able to have my family there, my aunt who lives in California is going to come to all the games, so just having that and then being able to represent your country on home soil in a World Cup is amazing. So it's just an amazing feeling, it's amazing to be at the forefront of everything".

In 2021, Weah signed with New Balance, becoming one of the brand’s global football ambassador. Five years later, he is still with the brand, and at the 2026 World Cup he will take to the field wearing a striking pair of Furon. "It's amazing, it's built for speed. - says Timothy, explaining how the boot fits into his style of play - When I made the change from the Tekelas to the Furons, that was my main point. I wanted to feel faster, I wanted to look faster. The colourways of the Furons were perfect for what I wanted to achieve. So this summer is going to be fun. I represent New Balance with great pride. They're like a family to me. I wouldn't want to let them down in any way. From the jump, I knew New Balance was home. This is where I'm the most comfortable. Joining was a no-brainer for me and the relationship has just been amazing from day one. So I'm just happy to be able to be in a space where I can do my stuff and be creative. I think that's the most important".

After a couple of seasons in Serie A playing for Juventus, Weah joined Olympique de Marseille in 2026: "I think coming here was an amazing choice. I love Marseille. The weather in itself is just amazing. The culture and the people, what they represent, the city, the club. I think coming here was an amazing, amazing choice and I've been so happy this season. It is a little different to any city I've lived in before. I think there's a lot of art around the city and someone like me gets inspired by art. And I'm a people lover, so, you know, meeting new people and getting to share my story here and there is amazing. I think that's what makes me feel so at home. And inspires me to do great things on and off the pitch. I think growing up in New York, around a lot of different people, a lot of different cultures, traditions, has helped me. When I'm overseas, I always try to adapt to a new country and the language and stuff. Like, French: I learned it in a minute just because I was open to it and exposed to so many different languages and cultures and foods in New York. So, I think that that helped me and it's helping me to this day. New York is everything I love. It's in me. It's what I put out into the universe".

The first time the World Cup was played in the United States was in 1994, and Weah had not even been born yet. So, when we asked him which edition was his favourite, he told us: "I had the chance of actually being on soil in South Africa for the 2010 final. South Africa was by far the best World Cup I have ever experienced or seen on video or in my whole entire life. has so much culture, so much deep- rooted culture, and African culture is such a beautiful thing. And I think, you know, with how, just in history in itself, I think Africa has been put on the sideburner and South Africa is what put African football and our culture and our traditions on the map. And honestly, it was executed to perfection. You had the Jabulani. You had the vuvuzela. And it gave us a banger. Shakira, God bless her".

Now, 32 years later, the World Cup is back in the United States and Weah will play a pivotal role representing the nation by wearing the USMNT’s jersey. The feeling that this event can be a pivotal moment in football’s history in America is shared by him too: "We want the sport to grow in our country. I think that's the main goal. That's what we're all fighting for. We want soccer or football to be played at every high school, every middle school, every corner. We want streetball on every corner. We want soccer to be the main sport. And I think this summer we're going to show the world why soccer should be the number one sport in America. Hopefully as a team, we can do our part and bring all these people together, bring our supporters, bring different cultures, traditions together and just spread love and joy. I think the most important thing to do is just live in the moment and have fun as a group and as a family".