It was a great finish to 2020 for Ghana’s Jonathan Mensah, who captains Columbus Crew SC in Major League Soccer in the US, and led the club to their first trophy in 12 years – the first African to lift the MLS Cup for The Black & Gold.
Passion for Sport spoke to Jonathan, and asked him how he felt about winning the MLS Cup.
“It’s such an incredible achievement for the team, for all of us, because we’ve been through so much, not just our team but everyone in the world, because we’re still in the middle of a global pandemic. We still go out and do out jobs, and make people happy, and for us to be rewarded like this - amazing, amazing feeling.”
The 30-year-old defender came to the MLS following spells at a number of clubs in Europe (Spain, France and Russia) but received some criticism when he left to play in the US.
“Sometimes people won’t be happy with the decisions that you make. It wasn’t like I was in a great team in Europe, I was in a middle table team - doing well but the opportunity in the MLS and the project caught my interest and I went for it.
“We’ve seen how this league has grown as the years have gone by and we’ve seen how great superstars have joined the league and done so well. I believe is going to continue to grow.”
And he’s not closing the door on a return to Europe …
“You never say never – keep putting in performances week in week out – this league has attracted big superstars, Beckham, Lampard, Gerrard, Robbie Keane, Rooney, people keep saying this league is a retirement league, but Zlatan came in at 35/36 – scored great goals, went back to Europe and is still scoring goals like he never left. It can only get better from here.”
Mensah is also very up front about the part his faith plays in his football career:
“With me, everything that I do is about God. It’s by his grace – if God gives me breath for another day, I will thank him, if he gives me a job, I will thank him, if he gives me anything I will thank him. One thing about myself I believe I have this mentality – I fight from victory, I lead from victory because of the God that I have. People say ‘why did you go to MLS?’ That was what God gave me. I didn’t win the first couple of years, but now that I’ve won (the Cup), would they say the same thing to me? I believe not. I told you God brought me here for a reason and this is the reason. God is my everything and I will continue to put him first in what I do.”
His favourite Bible verses?
“Joshua 1: 8 ‘This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, meditate on it day and night and do what is written in it and you will be prosperous and successful.’
“I read this one actually before every game: Psalm 35: 1 ‘Contend O Lord with those who contend with me, fight against those who fight against me, take up shield and armour, arise and come to my aid.’ That is my secret weapon.”
What does he feel he has learned from the hard times this pandemic has brought?
“For us to be grateful for life, for family, for friends and loved ones – because during this time you see the true character of some people, and you see how people love and how people are so grateful for life. This pandemic has taught us so much – if we come out unchanged then I think that is our own problem.
“People have learned a lot – people have started being more grateful for just having life.”