8 things you didn't know about Sulley Muntari

Ghanaian midfielder Sulley Muntari is a player whose name divides opinion whenever it is mentioned.

Calm on the pitch, a bit hot-tempered and a no-nonsense player. Sulley is one of the most successful Ghanaian footballers ever.

He has played in the best leagues in Europe, played for top clubs like Inter Milan, AC Milan and has seen success on the biggest stage.

He has played over 80 games for the Black Stars and is one of the loyal servants of Ghana.

Now 33, Muntari plays for Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna.

Muntari during his top playing days was involved in a host of controversial angry reactions and was sometimes tagged the “bad boy” of Ghana football.

There are many Ghanaians who probably may not know all about Sulley Muntari.

Here are 8 things you didn't know about Sulley Muntari.

1. Muntari had trials at Manchester United

At the age of 16, he was a member of the Ghana under-20 team that finished runners-up at the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship in Argentina.

Despite impressing during a trial with Manchester United after the tournament, he ended up joining Italian club Udinese.

2. Won the Champions League and FA Cup

During his time with Inter Millan, he helped the team win the Champions League in 2009–10 and the Serie A title in 2008–09 and 2009–10. He is among the five Ghanaian footballers who have the Champions League.

He was also part of the Portsmouth team that won the FA Cup in 2007–08.

3. Muntari's wife and son

Muntari is married to Menaya Donkor a businesswoman, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and former beauty queen who was named Miss Universe Ghana 2004 and represented Ghana in Miss Universe 2004. They have a son called Jamal.

4.Muntari owns a garage

Muntari owns a garage in Milan that contains a range of expensive cars.

His fleet of cars includes six-wheeled Mercedes Brabus G63 AMG 6x6 - that cost around $900, 000 at the time of purchase.

 

5. Sulley is very respectful

“What you see outside is totally different from the person he is at home” - Menaye Donkor said on Starr Chat.

This comes on the back of the many controversies and perception some Ghanaians have about Sulley tagging him "a bad boy".

6. Muntari sacked from camp in 2004

The 2014 World Cup was not the first time Muntari was sent out of camp during a major tournament.

Coach Mariano Barreto sent him out of Ghana's camp at the 2004 Olympic games in Athens.

7. Smashing an Italian Journalist’s tablet

Muntari attacked and smashed the tablet of an Italian prankster cum TV Presenter after he made a joke of him being gay.

As a devout Muslim, the then AC Milan midfielder took exception to being tagged as a gay irrespectively of it being a joke and  went on to warn that “the next time you make a thing like this I’ll break your face.”

8.Walking off the pitch amid racism storm

Perhaps the bravest move by any footballer, Muntari made the headlines after walking off the pitch in a Serie A game involving his Pescara side and Cagliari.

The midfielder claimed to have heard racist chants from a section of the home fans and complained to the referee with the hope that an action will be taken.

Muntari then confronted the away fans, continuously hitting his hand against his skin to show them how he cherished his black body.

However, the referee rather yellow-carded the Ghanaian in controversial circumstances. The decision led to Muntari walking out of the pitch in protestation.