Ghana international Kevin-Prince Boateng says he would lead racial protests like Muhammad Ali if he were to be playing in the Major League Soccer.
The forward has been speaking against racial injustice following the murder of Gorge Floyd in Minneapolis.
The death of the black man has sparked wild protests across the US, UK, Germany and other parts of Europe.
Boateng said it hurts that racism is still prevalent in this age, insisting he would fight it like Muhammad Ali did if he were playing his football in the US.
“It is a difficult situation. Other than being sad, I am angry. It just hurts always coming back to the same feeling. It’s very difficult for me right now,” Boateng, who is on loan at Besiktas from Fiorentina, told Sky Sports.
“[Completing a potential move to the USA to play in MLS] wouldn’t change a thing. I would be the same person. I would fight the same because I’m numb now. It hurts me but it doesn’t touch me now, I’m strong enough to deal with it.
“Maybe that would be the perfect thing for me to play there right now – to make a statement to give something back to show the people that I’m on the frontline, that I will be your front guy – I will be your Muhammad Ali.”
The 33-year-old added that he will always use his influence as a footballer to fight against racial injustice.
Having previously walked off the pitch after being subjected to racial abuse during his time at AC Milan, Boateng insists he will always stand up to racists wherever he finds himself.
“He always said ‘I will be there, I’m more than a boxer’. I want to be more than a boxer. There are a hundred players better than me, faster than me, I will fight for something bigger,” he said.
“Even if I change two minds, three, one hundred – that’s in my power. America, Germany, Italy, France, England – everywhere there is racism so it doesn’t matter where I play. I will always play for the right thing.”
