El-Hadji Diouf has never been the most diplomatic of people as far as his former Liverpool team-mates are concerned.
The 35-year-old, who last played professionally for Malaysian Premier League club Sabah, has had run-ins with Steven Gerrard, John Arne Riise and Jamie Carragher, to name but three.
But Diouf is trying to give off the impression that he is a changed man, sharing details of his plans to help Macky Sall (pictured above), the president of his home country, Senegal.
Diouf has been appointed an ambassador and special advisor to the president, helping develop Senegal’s sporting infrastructure, and he has already shared some very strong opinions on the country’s political framework.
In an interview with French magazine SoFoot, shared by Sen360.fr, Diouf has claimed the president is “surrounded by parasites”.
“I want to help youth and support Macky Sall, a great president, in listening to the Senegalese people,” he adds.
“His communication with the people has gone wrong. I can help him sort things out.”
So, has Diouf lost his hugely self-confident nature as his playing career comes to an end? Perhaps not entirely.
“With my wallet and my knowledge, I will make one of the most beautiful cities in Africa,” he says.
“I will change things for my country. Football and politics: all I am doing is amazing.”
