Antoine Semenyo's World Cup journey begins in Newport where he first shone

Antoine Semenyo, valued at £62.5m, returns to Newport County for Ghana's World Cup camp eight years after his breakthrough there.

Groundbreaking moment in Wales The moment that revealed Antoine Semenyo was prepared to advance in his career took place on a training field. Mike Flynn was supervising when a senior teammate in Newport County attempted to shoulder barge the teenager, who had joined on loan from Bristol City without a single senior professional appearance. Flynn recalled, 'He just held him off the ball without a problem.' The former manager added, 'You knew he was a special kid. He was raw but we'd already seen he had talent and how good he was off both feet. But in that moment, you knew he was ready. We started him the next game.' ## From Newport to global stage Eight years later, Semenyo returned to the same training facility outside Newport where Ghana set up their World Cup base. Now a £62.5m attacking asset, he is expected to lead Ghana's charge in Group L against Panama, England, and Croatia this month. The Black Stars aim to replicate their 2010 quarter-final run with Semenyo as a key figure. ## Early promise recognized Josh Sheehan, a Wales midfielder and former Rodney Parade teammate, remembered Semenyo's arrival in 2018. 'Back then of course he was just a lad that's turned up on loan from Bristol City and who'd been playing non-league not too long before,' Sheehan said. 'You don't tend to judge too much, you just think you'll see what he's like in training, and wonder if an 18-year-old is going to get a bit bullied in League Two. But, to be honest, he was just a different level. Strong, fast, ability, almost like a complete forward – you knew he was going to kick on and do something special.' ## Loan move sealed quickly Flynn had seen Semenyo in action for just five minutes before agreeing to the loan, following Bristol City's loan chief Brian Tinnion's recommendation. Flynn explained, 'The problem we had is that we had two good, experienced strikers,' referring to Padraig Amond and Jamille Matt, both key figures in Newport's FA Cup giant-killing run that season. 'But we just knew we had to get him in, so we used a new formation with him on the left.' ## Blank canvas with strong foundation Mark O'Brien, Semenyo's captain at Newport, highlighted what set him apart. 'I think most fans could see he was going places, but what stood out for me was what he was like on the training ground and in the dressing room,' O'Brien said. 'What stuck out as a player was how strong and powerful he was for a kid. But his attitude was everything. He'd give everything he had, whether it was in training or on the pitch. That's the key and you can see he's kept that. He was like this blank canvas that wanted to learn from everything.' ## Teenager thrived in tough environment O'Brien admitted Newport's 'strong' dressing room could have overwhelmed an unprepared teenager, especially with early talk of Premier League interest. 'But we didn't need to, that wasn't him,' the former defender added. 'Perhaps it was because he didn't realise how good he was or how good he could be. And that's why we all wanted him to do well, because you definitely thought this was the beginning of something from him.' ## FA Cup breakthrough hinted at stardom Two of Semenyo's final games for Newport showed glimpses of his future. He starred in an FA Cup win over Leicester in front of Match of the Day cameras against a Premier League-winning defense. Martin Keown wrote at the time he had witnessed 'a star in the making' and warned top-flight clubs would be watching. Newport's draw at Middlesbrough in the fourth round featured Semenyo's strength setting up Sheehan for Matt Dolan's late equalizer. ## Premier League call came early Bristol City recalled Semenyo early due to a £2m Chelsea bid, leaving Flynn 'gutted.' Flynn, who stayed in touch, recalled, 'He was obviously a special talent, but he was a special kid first and foremost. He'd have this smile that would light up a room. His parents and family mean everything to him, and that upbringing and attitude has helped him get to where he is now.' Semenyo later moved to Bournemouth for £10m. ## Ghana's rising star aims for World Cup glory Semenyo made his Ghana debut in time for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar but did not start a game. Now with three goals in 34 caps, he is a player the Black Stars rely on. Ghana captain Jordan Ayew said before the Cardiff City Stadium match, 'He's done brilliant. We all know the season he's had. He took his form at Bournemouth to Manchester City and Ghanaians are proud of him and as a team we are proud of him. We just hope that he will keep on doing it - and doing it for Ghana.'