Buy Chelsea, Sign Ronaldo and Messi: Revisiting Chairman Wontumi's wild football promise

The recent conviction and imprisonment of Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has brought back memories of one of his most talked-about football declarations.

In 2022, after the UK government sanctioned then-Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Premier League club was put up for sale in a deal that eventually saw a consortium led by American businessman Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital complete a £4.25 billion takeover.

At the height of the bidding process, Wontumi stunned many Ghanaians when he publicly declared his intention to join the race to purchase the English giants.

Speaking on his television station, Wontumi TV, the outspoken politician confidently outlined his ambitious plans for the club.

From Youth Triumph to World Cup Glory: The rise of coach Luis de la Fuente

"I've concluded that I want to go and buy Chelsea. I'm a businessman. I do gold mining, so of course I want to join the bid. I want Vinicius to join Chelsea when I buy it. I will allow Lukaku to leave; he has served the club well. After I buy it, I'll try to see if I can get Ronaldo from Manchester United and then also Messi,” he said.

The remarks quickly went viral across social media, with many football fans treating them as one of the most memorable moments in Ghanaian sports-related political commentary.

Although Wontumi never entered the official bidding process, his comments remain part of the folklore surrounding Chelsea's ownership saga.

Instead, the club was sold to the Boehly-Clearlake consortium, while Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United later that year for Al Nassr and Lionel Messi eventually joined Inter Miami in 2023.

Watch the video below:

When Chairman Wontumi stated that he wants to buy Chelsea.

Tod Boehly will tear acl 🤣😂

Lol pic.twitter.com/kkEc61iKK4

— EL-DAD (@ChristDeKing) July 20, 2026