Semenyo celebrates after scoring against Liverpool in Bournemouth's 2-4 defeat at Anfield on 15/8. Photo: Reuters

Semenyo celebrates after scoring against Liverpool in Bournemouth's 2-4 defeat at Anfield on 15/8. Photo: Reuters

Born in South London, Antoine Semenyo carries Ghanaian blood inherited from his father, Larry, a former player who grew up in Accra and played alongside African football legend Tony Yeboah at Okwawu United in the Ghana Premier League.

Semenyo's passion for football ignited early, fueled by his admiration for idol Didier Drogba. He dreamed of playing in the African Cup of Nations, but initially, his path was blocked by painful rejections.

"I tried out at loads of clubs and kept getting told I wasn't good enough. As a kid, that was difficult to hear," Semenyo revealed last year. At the time, he played for local team Kingfisher in England's Sunday League, and trials at Arsenal, Tottenham, and Millwall all ended in rejection. Chelsea offered USD 2.7 million but wouldn't go higher. Crystal Palace, where Semenyo had a two-month trial at 15, ultimately said no.

"The Crystal Palace rejection hit me the hardest because I'd been there a while. I remember sitting in the car, crying, asking my dad, 'Why does this keep happening?'" Semenyo recalled. The blow was so devastating that he quit football for a year, gained weight, and almost abandoned his dream.

"I didn't think I'd get to where I am today, but God works in mysterious ways," Semenyo reflected. His faith, daily Bible reading, and prayer became his anchors, helping him rediscover his motivation and path. "He told me when I was younger, it wasn't my time, and now it is."

Semenyo expresses disappointment after a missed opportunity at Newport County. Photo: AFP

Semenyo expresses disappointment after a missed opportunity at Newport County. Photo: AFP

Just as his career seemed over, Semenyo found a new hope through a football program in Swindon, though it meant leaving his family at 16, a significant challenge for a boy rekindling his dream.

Under former Leeds Utd manager Dave Hockaday, Semenyo earned a BTEC in sports science while honing his skills at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College. Hockaday became a mentor, driving him between Swindon and Bristol, enabling Semenyo to pursue his passion.

His breakthrough came when Semenyo consistently scored against local academy teams. Several big clubs, including Crystal Palace, returned to recruit him. This time, Semenyo chose Bristol City in the Championship to stay close to home. After a two-week trial, he signed a 4-year contract and was promoted to the U23s.

Semenyo playing for Sunderland. Photo: Sunderland AFC

Semenyo playing for Sunderland. Photo: Sunderland AFC

To gain experience, Semenyo was loaned to Bath City in the sixth tier at 18. It was a transformative, tough learning experience. He scored a hat-trick in a Somerset Premier Cup match but also received a red card and clashed with seasoned center-backs. "Playing in the U23s was easy, but in men's football, the pitches aren't great, you're up against experienced players who just want to kick you. I wasn't used to that. But Bath was a really beneficial experience," Semenyo recounted.

After returning to Bristol City and making his first-team debut, Semenyo was loaned to Newport County in League Two and Sunderland in League One. At Newport, manager Michael Flynn began using him as a winger instead of a striker, a role he maintains today. Now comfortable on both wings, he utilizes both feet effectively – a skill instilled by his father, Larry, who insisted he practice with both.

A turning point arrived with Nigel Pearson's appointment at Bristol City. "I was a bit nervous with him at first... He just said my best attribute was running and shooting, so just run and shoot! We played mostly long balls, and I thrived in that system," Semenyo shared. That season, he scored 8 goals and provided 12 assists, attracting attention from Premier League scouts.

This success earned Semenyo a call-up to the Ghana national team for the World Cup in Qatar, where he came off the bench against Uruguay and Portugal. His dream of playing in the African Cup of Nations (CAN) also materialized when he started all three group stage matches for Ghana in 2023.

Bournemouth acted swiftly, paying USD 13.5 million for Semenyo in 1/2023. Despite preseason shin surgery, he became a key player under manager Andoni Iraola, who refined his game by teaching him better pressing techniques and finishing skills, especially runs into the far post area.

Semenyo shakes hands with manager Iraola after Bournemouth's 2-4 loss to Liverpool at Anfield on 15/8. Photo: Reuters

Semenyo shakes hands with manager Iraola after Bournemouth's 2-4 loss to Liverpool at Anfield on 15/8. Photo: Reuters

Last season, Semenyo scored 11 Premier League goals in 37 appearances, surpassing his 8 goals in the previous full season, 2023-2024. His dribbling skills are highly regarded, with only Jeremy Doku and Mohammed Kudus – playing for more possession-based teams than Bournemouth – completing more successful dribbles last season.

In July, Semenyo signed a 5-year contract extension with Bournemouth. The club values him at USD 95 million, a figure that surely makes Arsenal, Tottenham, and Palace regret missing the chance to sign him for free.

The Premier League opener at Anfield on 15/8 showcased Semenyo's true worth. Despite Bournemouth's 2-4 loss, the Ghanaian forward shone, twice breaking through Liverpool's defense to score. The brace was even more significant given the racial abuse he faced from a spectator in the first half.

"I don't know how Antoine could keep playing and score those goals," Bournemouth captain Adam Smith said after the match. Semenyo later expressed on social media his gratitude for the solidarity of the "entire football family," stating, "Scoring those two goals felt like speaking the only language that truly matters on the pitch."

A Liverpool fan in a wheelchair directs racial abuse at Semenyo. Screenshot.

This composed reaction reflects someone who has endured numerous rejections as a teenager, worked tirelessly to rise above them, and become a sought-after forward in the world's most demanding league.

Compiled by Hoang Thong