(Montreal) Quickly, we understand that Kwadwo Opoku has his own hedonistic doctrine. He says it himself: to be “happy is free, so why not be happy”? Without a doubt, he is the first follower of this philosophy.
Throughout a twenty-minute interview with La Presse, the new CF Montreal striker is almost unable to stop smiling and laughing. And this, even though the 22-year-old Ghanaian has just survived a nearly two-hour training session at Center Nutrilait.
Acquired in early July from LAFC for $1.75 million in general allocation money, Opoku was quick to make his mark in Montreal. First, he hit the mark in his first game at Stade Saputo. Then, three weeks after his arrival in the metropolis, he agreed on a contract extension.
His body language confirms it. In every game and every practice so far, he stands out for his zest for life. On this sunny but windy Tuesday, he was already allowing himself to be fired up by his teammates in training, especially after his team’s victory in a mini-tournament.
And that’s not the only time he brought on a few smiles. Once training was over, he signed the jerseys of around thirty children participating in an Impact day camp, and they were immediately won over by Opoku.
After a few jokes, the children sang in chorus to the rhythm of the Ghanaian maestro who sped towards the locker room.
“You have to love what you do,” he explains. As for me, I have fun playing football and I really like what I do. If I am happy to show my happiness on the pitch, it will help me to be myself. »
If Opoku derives so much joy from everyday life, it is because he knows that it is not always easy.
The man nicknamed Mahala started playing soccer at the age of 12 and, thanks to an undeniable talent, he instantly entered an academy in Accra. His qualities speaking for him again, he was able to use the Africa Cup of Nations under 17 as a showcase.
To become a professional, the operation was a bit complex. After this success with the Ghanaian team, Opoku went on trials with FC Schalke 04, in the German top division at the time, and PSV Eindhoven, in the Netherlands. Eventually, he was to commit to the Bundesliga club, but business dragged on.
His agent instead made a phone call to then-LAFC head coach Bob Bradley, who also wanted to sign Opoku. The 18-year-old felt ready to make the leap to the pros.
Then COVID-19 came through.
For eight months, Opoku lived alone in the hotel. For eight months he trained alone. He had to wait all this time before the MLS allowed the hiring of players again. We can say that he triumphed where Jack Torrance failed.
“I want to work hard for my family. […] But that’s exactly how my adventure started! At 18, in a hotel, alone,” Opoku continues.
Even though he just turned 22, Opoku already has a lot of experience. Last year, with LAFC, he won the MLS Cup, while playing a key role in the California attack alongside stars Carlos Vela, Denis Bouanga and Gareth Bale.
A player who served as his “big brother” at the club is not a striker, however. It is rather the goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau. The Quebecer also recounted some good memories featuring Opoku during an interview conducted last week.
As the representative of La Presse begins to tell the story, Opoku bursts out laughing.
Here’s the story: “I used to tell him all the time, ‘When you’re going to play against goalies, hit hard at the near post,’ Crépeau says. It’s so close that at some point, yes, you can cross your shot, but I advise you to hit hard at the near post. Goalkeepers don’t expect that.” Then, in training, the number of balloons we ate in the nose because he hit hard at the near post. Then I was like, “You just have to place it, you’re two meters away from us!” But no, he put firecrackers directly in our face. »
Opoku confirmed the truth of the story. He also explained that he asked Crépeau for several tips on beating goalies, which explains the anecdote. However, even off the field, Crépeau was a mentor for the attacker.
“If I needed anything, I just had to call her. He always gave me good advice,” he adds.
Now his mission will be to take all the tricks he learned in Los Angeles and put them into action in Montreal. Except maybe the shots on the nose of the goalkeepers…
