Top 5 moments from Sulley Muntari’s illustrious career

For pretty much Sulley Muntari’s existence on earth, he has been pure box office material and quality.  From his days as a teenager in secondary school to breaking through with Ghana’s junior teams he was always considered a potential big deal.

That confidence proved justified long term as Sulley Muntari played out an illustrious career in Italy, England, Spain and with the Black Stars of Ghana.

He had many disciplinary episodes but as he turns 40, it is important to focus on what made him such a compelling footballer.

3Sports picks out some of his standout moments.

1. Historic treble with Inter Milan

A moment to savour. A long-lasting experience it was for Sulley and José Mourinho’s formidable Internazionale team. The Italians made light work of every opponent en route to their third Uefa Champions League crown and first treble.

Inter became the first Italian side to win the European treble, with Diego Milito netting a brace in the final to beat Bayern Munich 2-0 at the Allianz Arena.

Muntari, who was brought on by Jose Mourinho 11 minutes to the end to see out the game, became the first and only Ghanaian to win the treble, etching his name in European folklore.

2. Black Stars career

Sulley Muntary will go down in history as one of the greatest Black Stars players of all time. The former Inter Milan and AC Milan midfielder always left everything on the pitch whenever he pulled on the famous  Black Stars jersey.

His goal against the Czech Republic sealed a famous first-ever win for Ghana in 2006 and in the 2010 World Cup, he scored the opener in the historic quarter-final game against Uruguay. There was also the winning goal against Guinea in 2008 that set of the Ghana party at CAN 2008.

Muntari was a formidable force in Ghana’s midfield in the good times, something that has made him a hugely popular figure to date.

3. Goal against Barcelona in Champions League

Sulley Muntari put Ghana in the Champions League spotlight as scored against the Catalan giants to give  AC Milan a shock 2-0 win over Barcelona in the first leg of the 2013 round of 16 Champions League match.

Muntari, who was coming back after missing the first half of the season with a knee injury, blasted a superb second for A.C Milan after he was neatly served by his fellow Ghanaian international, Kevin Prince Boateng.

Although Milan could not progress to the next stage of the competition after a heavy  4-nil defeat at Camp Nou, Sulley’s goal in the first leg against Barcelona will go down as one of the best goals in his more than 10 years experience in European football.

4. His stint with Ghana’s U-20 team.

Muntari did not only make name for himself at the senior national team level but also at the youth level. Muntari’s abilities first came to light in youth tournaments, while he was playing for Liberty Professionals youth team.

The 40-year-old ex-black star player represented Black Starlets at the 2001 Meridian Cup and also featured in many matches for the Starlets including a 1–1 draw with Portugal.

At just 16 years old, Muntari was chosen for the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship at Argentina where Ghana clinched second place after losing it to the host nation.

5. The Portsmouth Days

After an impressive start with Udinese in the Italian league where he scored 9 goals, Sulley secured a move to join English team Portsmouth in England’s top flight League.

The 40-year-old made his debut on 11 August 2007 against Derby County in an away game. At Portsmouth, his performance that went unnoticed was away at Aston Villa at the Villa Park where he scored two spectacular long-range goals.

Muntari played four FA Cup matches with Pompey scoring the winner from the penalty spot in a 1–0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford in the sixth Round of the FA Cup.

He was also an integral part of the starting XI that won the 2008 FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium over Cardiff City.

Although Muntari only spent one season at Fratton Park with Portsmouth before joining Inter Milan, his incredible success with  Pompey will go down as one of the best in the club’s history.

By: Rabbi Adu Agyei

The post Top 5 moments from Sulley Muntari’s illustrious career first appeared on 3News.

Read Full Story