Boy with no boots is pure ivory

GERVINHO'S superb individual goal for Ivory Coast in their 2-1 defeat by Colombia marked a remarkable rise from childhood poverty to World Cup star.

The 27-year-old twinkle-toed winger -- who had an outstanding season with Roma after a difficult spell with English Premier League giants Arsenal – like a lot of his Ivory Coast teammates, now enjoying the riches that come with being a top footballer, began in very modest surroundings.

He was brought up in the tough neighbourhood of Abobo in Abidjan where his father tried his hand at football, and Gervinho is delighted that because of his success in Europe things have changed radically for his family.

"I am from a large family and frankly life was not easy," Gervinho said. "Today I am happy to be able to feed my family."

The life-changing experience for Gervinho, who showed his versatility by scoring with his head against Japan in the opening 2-1 win, came when as a youngster he was accepted into the Sol Beni Academy in Abidjan.

It had been founded by the man who would turn out to be one of the great influences of his life, former French international Jean-Marc Guillou.

It was also where he first came across several of his present teammates such as the Toure brothers, and Salomon Kalou among others.

"I was in the third batch, Kolo [Toure] the first, Yaya [Toure] the second. At the academy, you start playing with bare feet, because there are exercises to go through before being able to wear boots, and that lasts three years."

The boy with no boots has come a long way. – AFP