Following the announcement by former Chelsea FC wonderkid Charly Musonda that he had retired from professional football on Monday, some Zambians reacted with sarcasm directed at the player’s parents.
Musonda, the son of former Zambian international Charles Musonda, announced his retirement at the age of 28 after a career plagued by persistent injuries and unsuccessful loan spells.
He joined Chelsea’s academy in 2012 and was once seen as a future star, but managed only seven senior appearances for the club, spending much of his time on loan. After leaving Chelsea in 2022, he had brief spells at Levante and Anorthosis, making limited appearances before going a full season without a club.
Musonda’s rise to prominence had initially generated excitement among many Zambians. However, despite being eligible to play for Zambia, he opted to represent Belgium—the country he had played for at various youth levels. Ultimately, he never earned a senior cap for Belgium.
His decision drew backlash from some Zambians, with much of the criticism directed at his parents, both of whom are Zambian.
In 2016, then-Zambia national team coach George Lwandamina invited Musonda for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Congo-Brazzaville, but the winger rejected the call-up. His mother took to social media at the time, asking Zambians to leave her son alone.
His father was also quoted by the Lusaka Times as saying that Charly didn’t even have a Zambian passport, and dual citizenship was not yet permitted in Zambia.
“Kindly stop harassing me or Charles Musonda via inbox, requesting to know if Musonda will play for Zambia. Maybe you mean well, but hey, it’s too much. Stop it!” Angela Musonda, Charly’s mother, posted in 2016 on her Facebook page.
“For your own information. He qualifies to play for Belgium and England too. But no one is bothering us from these two countries because they know that the decision is not theirs but the boy himself. Now twist this one as well if you are a hater. Go on,” she added.
Zambians react on social media charly’s retirement
Nine years later, after Musonda announced his retirement, some Zambians took to social media with sarcastic remarks.
Facebook user China AMan wrote, “This boy had a very sarcastic mother turned manager one could think she was managing Messi or CR7.”
“He was abandoned by Belgium while the mother declared her sons were Belgians and could only play for Belgium… Master KG – Skeleton Move was the rightful song to listen to by the family at that time but decided to seal ear holes with soundproof,” commented Evaristo Makasa.
Emmanuel Chola Mutapa also joined the conversation, saying, “It’s unfortunate that he chose Belgium over Zambia. The mother’s influence likely played a role in his decision.”
Another user, Charlie Luo Jr., wrote, “Never forget where you come from when you get your 6 and when the spotlight is on you coz’ eventually when it all gets heavy we run back home to our people who know us better… He says he wants to help other players… How are you going to help a stranger when you threw your own people under the bus when they needed you???”
“You can’t insult and disrespect your village pipo, and think you would go far in life,” added Joackim Mwanambaba Mauzwe.
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