Michael Essien Childhood Story Plus Untold Biography Facts

Michael Essien Childhood Story Plus Untold Biography Facts

LifeBogger presents the Full Story of a Chelsea and Ghanaian Football Legend best known by the Nickname; “The Bison”.

Our Michael Essien Childhood Story, including his Untold Biography Facts, brings you a full account of notable events from his childhood days to the moments he became a Chelsea FC Legend.

The analysis of Michael Essien’s Biography involves his Childhood Story, Early Life, Parents, Family background, Wife (Akosua Puni Essien), Lifestyle, Net Worth and Personal Life.

READ FULL STORY:
Andrey Santos: Charting the Course of a Brazilian Prodigy

Yes, everyone knows about his Legendary status with Chelsea FC and the Ghanaian national team.

However, not many fans have read a detailed version of Michael Essien’s Biography, which is quite interesting. Now, without further ado, let’s dive into the potatoes and meat of Essien’s story.

Michael Essien Childhood Story – Early Life and Family Background:

For Biography starters, Michael Kojo Essien was born in Accra on the 3rd day of December 1982. He was born to his mother, Aba Gyandoh, and father, James Essien.

Essien attended Gomoa Nyanyano DC Primary and JSS in Ghana. He was a humble and intelligent school child during his childhood days.

READ FULL STORY:
Bafetimbi Gomis Childhood Story Plus Untold Biography Facts

He began his football career after graduating from St. Augustine’s College in Cape Coast, playing at a local club called Liberty Professionals. Essien broke through when he played in the 1999 FIFA U-17 World Championship in New Zealand.

European scouts began to take notice, and Essien had a trial at Manchester United in April 2000. He played in the club’s under-17 team’s defeat to Derby County.

Manchester United offered him a contract, but he was ineligible to obtain a work permit in the United Kingdom.

READ FULL STORY:
Ismael Bennacer Childhood Story Plus Untold Biography Facts

He, therefore, considered joining the Belgian feeder club Royal Antwerp until he was eligible to move to England. However, his mother preferred to move to France instead.

After a five-year stint in France, Essien acquired French citizenship. He played for Bastia from 2000 until 2003 and Lyon from 2003 to 2005 before making the move to Chelsea. The rest, as they say, is now history.

READ FULL STORY:
Cesc Fabregas Childhood Story Plus Untold Biography Facts

Who is Akosua Puni Essien?… Michael Essien Wife:

After dating many ladies and tasting the four walls of relationships, Michael Essien decided to settle down with Mrs Akosua Puni Essien, who is a British citizen of Ghanaian origin.

Introducing Akosua Puni Essien - Michael Essien's Wife.
Introducing Akosua Puni Essien – Michael Essien’s Wife.

She once bought an Italian club for €237,000 at a bankruptcy auction held by FC Como Limited.

The figure was €10,000 more than the starting price. Below is a photo of Michael Essien and his wife in their radiant look.

READ FULL STORY:
Andre Schurrle Childhood Story Plus Untold Biography Facts

Michael Essien’s children are grownups, meaning he had them way before his marriage. He has a grownup daughter called Michelle Essien, pictured below.

Let's introduce you to Michelle. She is Essien's daughter.
Let’s introduce you to Michelle. She is Essien’s daughter.

He also has a grown-up son named Michael Essien Jnr, pictured below.

Before deciding to be with Akosua Puni Essien, Michael Essien had the following relationships:

Dela Ackumney was in a relationship with Michael Essien from 2003 – 2006.

READ FULL STORY:
Yunus Musah Childhood Story Plus Untold Biography Facts

Nadia Buari, a popular Ghanaian Actress, born on 21st November 1982 in Takoradi, Ghana, was previously married to Michael Essien.

Cassie Sumner, pictured below, was in a relationship with Michael Essien between 2006 and 2007. She has also dated Carlton Cole (2007) and Celestine Babayaro (2004 – 2005).

Lurata Murati is a British Model who once had a relationship with Michael Essien (2006). Lurata is famous for Michael Essien’s Ex.

READ FULL STORY:
Ainsley Maitland-Niles Childhood Story Plus Untold Biography Facts

Finally, Leila Beiruthy, pictured below, was in a relationship with Michael Essien between 2007 to 2008.

 Leila was the last lady Michael Essien dated before he agreed to settle down with Akosua Puni Essien, whom he had known for a longer time.

Michael Essien Family Life:

Like most footballers coming out from Africa, the Chelsea legend wasn’t born rich. Michael Essien was raised in a poor family background. Now, let’s introduce you to Michael Essien’s Dad.

READ FULL STORY:
Stefan Bajcetic Childhood Story Plus Untold Biography Facts
On this day, Essien's Dad decided to voice out publicly.
On this day, Essien’s Dad decided to voice out publicly.

James Essien, his biological father, once had a rage with his son due to Michael’s failure to cater for him in recent years.

Consequently, the father has stated that Michael should cease using the name ‘Essien’ as his surname.

“I have been ill for over a year now. It is Kyeremeh (Berekum Chelsea board chairman) who takes care of me, and I see no point in Michael continuing to bear my name,”

He once said on Ghana Happy Sports.

READ FULL STORY:
Raphinha: Crafting Magic on the Field, From Porto Alegre to Barcelona

Reacting to what might have caused the player’s allegedly irresponsible acts, James Essien said…,

“His mother has been ill-advising him to stop providing for my upkeep. I will go all out to ensure that he stops using my name. Even if I have to drag him to the law courts, I will do that,” he added.

Michael Essien is alleged to have shirked his duty of taking care of his father for some time now. Below is a photo of James Essien in an unhealthy but happy state of mind.

READ FULL STORY:
Stefan Bajcetic Childhood Story Plus Untold Biography Facts

James Essien is used to going to the media to solicit help for his medical bills. This happened between 2008 to 2010, a time when Michael was at the peak of his career.

Michael Essien himself has also come out to debunk claims made by his dad. Both allegations and counter-allegations by both father and son once attracted mixed reactions from the Ghanaian populace.

READ FULL STORY:
Andrey Santos: Charting the Course of a Brazilian Prodigy

In an effort to uncover the truth, people took a trip to the father’s village, where James Essien confirmed that, indeed, his son had neglected him. The picture below was what they saw.

The Chelsea midfielder, upon hearing this, tried to douse the flames by releasing a statement which read:

‘I have faced many, many difficult challenges in my life, but this is the hardest thing I have ever done as my heart bleeds over the false statements recently peddled by a small section of the Ghanaian media goaded by my own father. 

I had never wanted to discuss my family in public or any good I do to anyone because when you do good, you go only for God’s recognition.

 Given what I had done for my father when I was told of the false, vile and degrading comments he made about me, I wept because people normally do not get insulted for doing good.

‘But my father decided to pay me back in such a terrible way. Because of this, I have been unfortunately forced to say what I have done for him because he has gone to the extreme to disgrace my family. I will like to state the following facts:

1. My father currently lives in a three-bedroom house (not a mud house). I instructed my sister to build it for him with my own money.

2. He is visited monthly and, more recently, twice a week by my sister Diana on my orders to regularly give him money and other essentials I send. My mother, whom he has insulted so much, also provides for him.

3. I bought a car for him to make his transportation easier, and part of the money I provided for him is used to fuel the car or repair it when it breaks down.

4. When his illness broke out, I asked for him to be taken to the Asikuma Hospital, but he said he wanted traditional medicine.

‘I provided money for him to undergo traditional treatment. It came to nothing, and I ordered for him to be taken to the hospital.

My family, I believe, have also organised for a nurse to come home and look after him on a regular basis. 

Because of these reasons and many more reasons I won’t state publicly, I am shocked by what he is alleged to have said.

But God knows I have done my best to thoroughly look after a man who didn’t even raise me or take part in my upbringing and who has eight other children who can help.’

After saying these touching words, the whole allegation died a natural death. The hearts of Ghanaians and the world at large were again at peace.

READ FULL STORY:
Cesc Fabregas Childhood Story Plus Untold Biography Facts

The reason behind Nickname ‘The Bison’:

Due to his tough tackling style and boundless energy, Essien’s physical presence on the pitch has earned him the name, ‘The Bison’.

His physicality throughout the pitch has seen him compared favourably with the likes of Edgar Davids and Claude Makelele as excellent holding midfielders of the past.

He has left an important footprint with Andre Ayew and Thomas Partey and led the Ghanaian national team – following his retirement.

READ FULL STORY:
Andre Schurrle Childhood Story Plus Untold Biography Facts

Michael Essien Biography Facts – Mourinho Bonding:

On 31 August 2012, Essien signed a season-long loan deal with Real Madrid, reuniting him with his former manager at Chelsea, José Mourinho.

At his introductory press conference with Real Madrid, Mourinho affectionally referred to Essien as “his son” while Essien referred to Mourinho as his “Daddy”.

During the last match of the season – and Essien’s last game as a Madrid player – Essien scored his second goal for Madrid, which he dedicated to Mourinho.

READ FULL STORY:
Yunus Musah Childhood Story Plus Untold Biography Facts

He once Threatened Lyon:

Luckily, this was avoided, as on August 14, 2005, Lyon and Chelsea agreed on a $26-million deal to transfer Essien to Chelsea.

It ended one of the longest-running transfer sagas in English soccer history. Essien went on to become an important player for the London club.

Fact Check:

Thanks for reading our LifeBogger’s version of Michael Essien’s Biography. We strive for accuracy and fairness in our quest to deliver you the stories of African Football Players.

READ FULL STORY:
Raphinha: Crafting Magic on the Field, From Porto Alegre to Barcelona

Kindly stay tuned for more articles on Ghanaian Players. The Life History of Daniel Amartey and Inaki Williams will excite you.

If you see something that doesn’t look right in this article, please leave a comment or contact us!

Hi there! I am Hale Hendrix, a passionate football enthusiast and writer dedicated to uncovering the untold stories of footballers' childhood and biography. With a deep love for the beautiful game, I have spent countless hours researching and interviewing players to bring to light the lesser-known details of their lives.

READ FULL STORY:
Ismael Bennacer Childhood Story Plus Untold Biography Facts

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here