FIFA 2026 WCQ: Thomas Partey’s Filthy Skill on Mali Star Goes Viral in Black Stars Win
- Thomas Partey left fans in awe after outclassing one of Mali’s top midfielders with a dazzling piece of skill
- A clip of the move quickly caught fire online, with one person quipping, “Partey has eyes at the back of his head”
- The ex-Arsenal star will now shift focus to his club responsibilities and an impending court case in the days ahead
Thomas Partey reminded everyone why he is regarded as one of Ghana’s finest exports in modern football.
The 32-year-old midfielder, who had missed the Black Stars’ uninspiring draw against Chad due to illness, returned to the starting line-up in the crucial clash with Mali at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Source: Twitter
Partey shines as Ghana pip Mali
Coach Otto Addo paired him with Kwasi Sibo, handing the Real Oviedo man his debut on a night that demanded composure and control.
Partey’s presence brought just that. His measured passing, smart positioning, and ability to dictate the tempo gave Sibo the platform to impress on his big stage.
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When the game tightened, Partey chose the simple options, recycling possession and cutting out dangerous moves before releasing his teammates into space.
Source: Getty Images
In the closing stages, as Mali pressed hard for an equaliser, he dropped deeper to shield the defence, reading the game with the calmness that has defined much of his career.
It was a display of balance: leadership when needed, flair when the opportunity arose, and always the right decision at the right moment.
Partey’s insane skill goes viral
Beyond his solid performance, one particular moment has captured the imagination of fans online.
In a clip shared on social media and seen by YEN.com.gh, Partey produced a dazzling piece of skill that left a Malian midfielder chasing shadows.
Receiving a pass from Gideon Mensah, the Villarreal anchorman executed his own version of the Zidane roulette with a sharp 180-degree twist.
The move sent his marker tumbling on the turf, drawing gasps from the crowd.
Without hesitation, Partey followed up with a perfectly weighted diagonal pass to Caleb Yirenkyi, turning defence into attack in one sweeping motion.
Watch the video:
Supporters could not hide their admiration.
One fan wrote,
"Partey de3 baller ooo."
Another joked:
"Partey has eyes at the back of his eyes 🤣."
Comparisons were even made with Barcelona great Sergio Busquets, as @joojo_Kratos wrote:
"Krobo Sergio Busquets."
@Samuel_Bewuah06 teased the Malian midfielder:
"Anka blor dey come tear ACL oo 😅😅"
@Clinch_Baron99 waxed lyrical with his observation about Partey:
"Just observe how he scanned the opponent’s movement. Professional player doings 🔥🔥🔥"
Thanks to Alexander Djiku’s 49th-minute strike, Ghana secured a 1-0 victory to stay top of Group I, moving closer to a return to the FIFA World Cup.
Partey now switches focus to Villarreal, who face Atletico Madrid on September 13 in La Liga.
Just two days later, his attention will return to matters off the pitch as he is scheduled to reappear at Southwark Crown Court in London on September 15, following the rescheduling of his ongoing legal case.
Partey, Jordan & others play Ludo
In a lighter feature, YEN.com.gh highlighted how Thomas Partey, Jordan Ayew, and two other Black Stars players found time to unwind before Ghana’s World Cup qualifier.
The four were spotted sharing laughs over a spirited game of Ludo on the team bus, with Black Sherif’s tunes providing the perfect soundtrack.
Source: YEN.com.gh
