Jose Mourinho Bought Felix Afena-Gyan €800 Balenciagas After Bullying From Teammates For Wearing Fake Trainers

One of the most wholesome moments of the season happened back in November when Jose Mourinho bought AS Roma starlet Felix Afena-Gyan a brand new pair of Balenciagas.

Away at Genoa, the 19-year-old came off the bench in the 74th minute to score a brace and clinch a late 2-0 win.

Mourinho had promised to buy the young Ghanaian an expensive pair of trainers and kept to his word.

The following moment, a heartwarming video circulated online of Afena-Gyan opening his gift from Mourinho, which set him back around £670 (€800).

The youngster, who seemingly came from nowhere to burst onto the scene, was understandably overjoyed with the gesture.

But in a new interview, Mourinho has revealed that part of the reason he blessed Afena-Gyan with his new sneakers was because he had been made fun of by teammates for wearing fake shoes.

Image: PA

"He was there, he didn't have a contract and he was coming with fake trainers and all the guys there were having fun with him," Mourinho told his former player Joe Cole on BT Sport.

"The moment he scored. I said Felix, it's time for these guys to stop bullying you so let's buy you a proper pair of shoes."

Afena-Gyan has had an incredible meteoric rise of late. He's gone from playing for his high school back in Ghana to the Roma Primavera under Daniele De Rossi, and then playing 22 times for the Giallorossi first-team.

His first-team exploits have seen him pen a sponsorship deal with German sportswear giants Puma.

Image: PA

Even better, he's made his debut for Ghana in March and is in line to represent his country in the World Cup at the end of the year.

On his rapid ascension, Mourinho added: "Now he signs a contract, he goes to Ghana national team and he has fun with the other guys because the other guys are not going to the World Cup."

Roma finished sixth in Serie A but could end the season with silverware as they contest the inaugural Europa Conference League final against Feyenoord in Tirana on Wednesday evening.

Topics: Jose Mourinho, AS Roma, Serie A

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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