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The Ghanaian defender, who starred for the Black Stars at the 2022 World Cup, opened up about his early struggles
Life has thrown plenty of challenges at Rennes defender Alidu Seidu, but none bigger than the one he faced in his youth.
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The Ghanaian international, who is currently recovering from an ACL injury, recently opened up about his violent past in Kumasi and the terrifying moment he almost lost his life in a street fight.
Seidu revels in rise to fame
Alidu Seidu’s journey to Ligue 1 is nothing short of remarkable. While many know him as a tough, no-nonsense defender, few are aware of the chaotic environment he grew up in.
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Born and raised in Kumasi, near Ghana’s capital Accra, Seidu was surrounded by crime, violence, and survival at all costs.
Speaking in a recent interview with Ouest-France, the Ghanaian defender said, “We walked the streets with knives or machetes, I committed thefts, vandalism, and small-time trafficking. My mother was always crying, and sometimes I ran away at night to avoid my father punishing me.”
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Football became his only escape route. While many of his childhood friends were drawn deeper into crime, Seidu’s uncle saw his potential and pushed him toward football.
“He always supported me, and football saved my life!” Seidu added. That decision changed everything. After years of dedication, Seidu signed for French side Clermont, eventually earning an €11 million move to Rennes in January 2024.
A near-death experience that changed Seidu’s perspective
Despite escaping the streets, one moment nearly ended everything for Seidu after a brutal attack that left him hospitalised for three months.
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During a street fight in Kumasi, he was struck on the head with a machete, leaving him covered in blood and unable to speak.
The Rennes defender recalled, “I lost a lot of blood, I couldn’t speak… Everyone thought I was going to die.” But Seidu survived, and that moment changed his perspective forever.
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Now, even as he faces a long recovery from his ACL injury, Seidu sees it as just another challenge, noting, “I have been through worse than a cruciate injury in my life.” Football saved him once before, and now, he’s determined to fight his way back again.
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