From Ghana to Cincinnati: The Journey of Croatia Juniors Midfielder Ishmael Mensah

Photo courtesy of the Xavier University Athletic Department

Ishmael Mensah, a member of the Croatia Juniors Class of 2024, recently arrived in Cincinnati to begin his new chapter as a member of Xavier University’s men’s soccer team. Before he left, Croatia Juniors got the opportunity to sit down with Ish and discuss his winding journey from Ghana, his home country, to Cleveland, where he played for Croatia Juniors and Andrews Osborne Academy. Read the full interview below.

*Note: This interview has been lightly edited for clarity.

Tell us about your background. What was your childhood like? What brought you to the United States?

I started playing soccer at an early age, I don’t know exactly when. My mom played soccer, likewise my dad. My mom played for the national team, so I think I got there from my family. At the age of 9, I left my family to go to an academy called Rising Star. 

When I left home, I didn’t tell anybody I was going to Rising Star. A year later, my family thought I was dead because they were trying to find me, but I was nowhere to be found. Everyone was thinking, “Oh, he’s no more.” I didn’t go to Rising Star with a team, but I went there by myself because I wanted to leave home and play soccer.

So your family didn’t even know.

They didn’t know. It was crazy. When I got to the academy, I saw these guys who were 12, 13 years old, older than me, you know, and so the only thing I had to do was just start playing. When I left my village to go to the city, I had no cleats on, no slides on when I got to the city. I didn’t know anybody, but my determination was to get to Rising Star, and God being so good, that was how it happened. When the owner saw me, he was surprised and said, “Hey, how did you get here?” I said I just wanted to come. He wanted to take me back to my village, but I told him no. I wanted to play. He said he would give me a place to sleep for now and let’s see. They gave me food that evening, and a place to sleep. I was so happy. It wasn’t perfect but it was ok for me to sleep and I loved it. So yeah, I started making family with all the guys there.

Then, there was this coach that came from the United States. He came to Ghana for a visit and to pick a guy from Rising Star, but when he came and saw me training with the U14s, he was surprised and said, “I love this kid. I would like to bring him to the United States when he turns 14.”

And at the time, you were 9?

Yeah, I was 9, and he said, “I’m gonna bring this guy to the United States.” But when I turned 14, I went to the national team instead, and we went to some African countries. I never thought of going to school in America because in Ghana, I never went to school. I had the attitude, like, “I’m not going to America, pff…” I didn’t believe it because my dream is to go pro. I want to go pro, and my dream is to go to England, Germany, those places.

So pro in Europe, you’re saying?

Yes, Europe. That’s where I want to go. I know the US is a good place, but I want to go pro in Europe because of the challenge, you know? But it was then that they asked me to go to the embassy. They said to go get a passport, pff, I didn’t know what that is. So they took my picture in the house and said someone would help me, but I need to go into their office. But already, some of the guys in the team went to the embassy, 10 of them, and they all got rejected. So when it was my turn to go, nobody ever thought I’m gonna get my visa. And besides, I didn’t want to go to school, because I know I’m not smart, you know? I’m smart naturally, but not smart in school. 

So when I got to the embassy, I was nervous. So scared. The man asked me to come forward. I greeted him and he started smiling. He asked my name and I said, “I’m Ish Mensah.” He said, “Ok, Ish, congratulations,” and he took my passport from me. But when he took the passport, I didn’t know I had gotten a visa. So I went out and I was crying, I was like, “He took my passport.” But the guy who sent me to the embassy was like, “No, that’s good news. It means you’re going.”

So I went to the United States in January when it was winter. It was freezing and I brought a short sleeve, not a sweatshirt or anything like that. I arrived at JFK and I was freezing! It was my first time in the United States, and it’s not as warm as Ghana. Plus, I only knew a little bit of English. I wasn’t perfect at speaking, but I could read and I found my way out of the airport and met the coach outside. He was like, “Are you crazy? Why did you wear this?!” And I told him, “I’m from Ghana,” you know? He asked if I saw my family and I told him no. I only saw my mom when I was leaving - she came 30 minutes before I left and we took some pictures. That was the only time I saw my mom. It’s been years since I saw my family. It all just happened that quick, and I came to the United States.

I went to a school in Connecticut and started to play with their prep team. I got there on Sunday and we had a game on Wednesday. I played a full 90 minutes. That’s how it happened. And then at that time, I started getting selected for different regional and national showcases to go to Europe, but I only had a student visa and couldn’t travel out of the country. Everything happened so quickly, I was traveling a lot and got a lot of D1 schools looking at me. But I didn’t know what to do because I was trialing with professional teams. I started with NYCFC, then I went to Philadelphia Union, New England, Columbus Crew. The Columbus Crew showed real interest, and I spent a lot of time with them, training and playing. It was fun. Some clubs made offers to sign me, but I was only 15 and I didn’t have a green card, I’m not a citizen. I had to get a family to adopt me, but I just came to the United States and had no one, you know?

My dream is to go pro, not to go to school, because I’m not smart in school. But I chose Xavier. People ask me why I chose Xavier, since I had a lot of good options. I could have gone to California, Florida, those places. But I chose Xavier because I had some friends I know back in Connecticut, and it’s also close to AOA, my family here that supports me. Xavier is close to Connecticut and to here, so they can come and watch. After Xavier, I have a lot of different options and I’m waiting for the team that is ready to give me a good offer so I can go to Europe, not just stay in the United States. So yeah, that’s the prayer, but it takes time.

How is soccer here different from what you were used to growing up?

When I came here, any time I touched them, I got a call. It was a foul. I was playing physically, so they thought anytime I touched them, it’s a foul. And I couldn’t speak English, so I did this, you know? (Thumbs up) That’s my sign. So, anytime the ref was talking to me and said something I didn’t understand, I just did that. 

My coach in Connecticut said to slow down, that I needed to adapt to the system, how they play. I really matured my game a lot. You’d think I’m more than my age, but I’m 17. I’ve been on my own for so long so I have to be mature. So it changed my style of play a little bit, but I’m still me.

Who is Ish as a soccer player?

I’m passionate when I’m playing. I love to play and I don’t like to lose. So when I start to lose and, like, my teammate is messing up, I’m sorry to say, I go a little bit off-track. Because when he’s not playing physically, I get pissed. I say, “Hey, let’s do this,” you know? To just get us back on track. I am demanding to get my guys to a higher level. 

How has Croatia Juniors helped you in this process?

It has really helped me because after our season (at AOA), I had no options. But when I found Croatia Juniors, it truly helped me. I met good coaches, Coach Mario and Coach Mile. Really good coaches, and I met some good teammates. But I really thank Coach Mario and Coach Mile, because, you know, they are there for me anytime I need them. Those coaches are so good. And winning tournaments with the guys, it was fun, you know? Training in here, when we play on the full field and have fun… Yeah, it was great.

What else should people know about you and your journey?

My future is bright. That’s what I’ll say. Because the only thing I need is God and people to help me. I know what I can do, and when I get the platform, I can perform. That’s me. That’s Ish.