( CNN ) -- He was just a young boy -- long before he became one of Africa 's all-time football greats and racked up trophies in Europe 's top competitions -- when Abedi Ayew first heard people comparing him with arguably the game 's best player -- Brazil 's Edson Arantes do Nascimento , also known as Pele . Yet , there was just one problem for the young Abedi , who grew up in a poor Ghanaian village and shared a home with his 18 siblings . He did n't know who Pele was . `` You imagine that we do n't have access to televisions , we do n't have lights in our villages ; we were closed in the very small village so we did n't have access to all these things , '' he explains . `` So for me , playing behind our modest windows and any small places we would get , we tried to play football . And then you see people who are a little bit older than you saying , 'oh Pele , he plays like Pele . ' '' That nickname followed the attacking midfielder all the way from the red dirt fields in Ghana to some of the world 's biggest football stages , including the 1993 Champions League final where he helped lead the French club Olympique de Marseille to its first ever European championship . Read this : Cameroon 's outspoken football star . Like his namesake , the Ghanaian `` Pele '' displayed a nimble athleticism on the pitch , dazzling defenders with his spectacular technique and blistering pace . He signed his first contract in 1978 with Ghana 's Real Tamale United but it was n't long before he attracted the attention of foreign scouts , becoming a pioneer for African football at a time when few players from his continent enjoyed major international careers . He spent several years honing his talent abroad -- including spells in teams in Qatar and Benin -- before heading to France to play in the country 's second division . In 1987 , he made his move to France 's top league after being signed by Marseille . But his first spell at the club in the south of France proved to be a short one as Ayew grew frustrated with the racial abuse he suffered from his teammates . `` I started playing with them and three weeks later I called my manager and told my manager 'look , I would like to change club because I was n't accepted by the players , '' he reveals . `` Any time they see me passing , they spit on the ground ... [ and say things like ] 'go back to where you come from , go back to the bush . ' '' Read this : Tiny town breeding champions . The Ghanaian star left Marseille after just one year and began playing for rivals Lille . But his excellent performances in his new team made Marseille 's club president realize what he had lost and try to sign him back again . Ayew was initially reluctant to play again for his former club but was eventually convinced by his wife who urged him to `` go and prove to them that you are the best . '' So in 1990 he rejoined Marseille , where he enjoyed three golden years , culminating in the 1993 Champions League triumph over mighty Italian giants AC Milan . `` I felt proud because every footballer 's dream is to win a Champions League , '' says Ayew . `` Having the opportunity to be one of the first African players to win is huge and I think I was just happy . '' A champion in Europe , Ayew was also the heart and soul of Ghana 's national team , which he captained for six years , starting in 1990 . During his 16-year career with the Black Stars , he scored 33 goals in 67 appearances and played in a record five Africa Cup of Nations . Read this : Teens shoot for U.S. glory . Ayew , who 's seen three of his sons following his footsteps by playing professional football , ended his career with Al Ain the United Arab Emirates in 2000 . But his passion for football remains unquenched . These days , Ghana 's football legend spends his time and money coaching and mentoring young players . Beyond the fundamentals of sport , he also tries to prepare them to face some of the challenges he overcame . `` We just try to ... ensure that they have a better career but it 's not easy , '' he says . `` It 's not everybody who is going to be a very good footballer or to have a professional career . `` So what we try to do is we teach them how to be in a society and that is very important -- even if you do n't succeed in the football pitches , outside you can live within the society and I think that needs a whole lot of respect and discipline . ''
Abedi `` Pele '' Ayew is a Ghanaian football legend . His skills on the field garnered him the nickname of arguably the game 's greatest player . He helped lead Al Ain to its second ever European championship in six years . The attacking midfielder was also captain of Qatar 's national team for 1993 .