Antoine Semenyo Opens Up on Nearly Quitting Football After Rejections from Arsenal and Chelsea

Antoine Semenyo has revealed that he almost walked away from football completely after being rejected by several English clubs during his teenage years.

Speaking in an interview with FIFA, the Ghana international reflected on the difficult period of his career when he failed to secure academy contracts despite attending multiple trials with top clubs.

Semenyo disclosed that he spent years moving between academies, including trials with Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Fulham, Millwall, and Crystal Palace between the ages of 11 and 15.

Crystal Palace turned out to be his final opportunity at the time, but after spending two months on trial without earning a place, the forward admitted he became frustrated and decided to step away from football for a year.

“I went to quite a few academies between 11 and 15. Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea, Fulham, Millwall. Crystal Palace was my last trial at 15,” he told FIFA in an exclusive interview. “I went there for two months, didn't get in, and (was) very frustrated that I wasn't signed by any of the teams. I just ended up giving it up and focusing on school. I gave up for the year, enjoyed just being normal."

The forward was later encouraged to return to the sport by former Leeds United coach Dave Hockaday, who was working as head of male sport at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College at the time.

After impressing in several friendly matches against professional academies, Semenyo eventually earned a move to Bristol City in 2017 — a breakthrough that helped launch his professional career.