Kalou: Ex-Chelsea star pays homage to dad after bagging university degree

Former Cote d’Ivoire and Chelsea star Salomon Kalou reminisced about his late father’s life lessons after bagging a university degree.

The 35-year-old is preparing for life after the beautiful game as he was awarded a degree in Business Administration from Lyon’s Business School.

Nevertheless, the Champions League and Africa Cup of Nations winner took to social media to relive his late father’s teachings. Kalou’s dad, Antoine, passed away in 2016.

“Everything my dad taught me « embraced the knowledge. appreciate it. If you keep your fists closed, nothing can come in. You got what you got, but you can’t get any more. But You wanna see what happens if your hands are open » to that I say Amen. Wherever you at,” he tweeted.

The forward joined Brasileirao Serie A side Botafogo as a free agent after announcing his departure from Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin after a six-year spell.

Before leaving the Olympiastadion, Kalou was punished for posting a video showing him disobeying many of the German football league's (DFL) safety measures upon his return to training with Hertha. 

He began his professional career at Feyenoord before moving to Chelsea after three seasons in the Eredivisie.

In England, he enjoyed a trophy-laden spell – winning the Champions League, one Premier League title, four FA Cups, a League Cup and the FA Community Shield.

On the international scene, he marked his debut in a 1–0 friendly win over Guinea on 6 February 2007 and went a step further by scoring 28 times in 97 appearances for the Elephants.