The honor, which Weah will receive on 14 July, will be given during the ESPY awards being organized by the US sports television network ESPN.

Weah, Fifa's World Player of the Year in 1995 and the only African ever to win the award, has worked to demobilize Liberian child soldiers in his homeland and reintegrate them into their families and communities.

"I'm trying to reach the children and encourage them to go to school. We must give them a chance to reach their goals," Weah said.

Weah has also made several visits to his homeland to promote HIV/Aids prevention and polio vaccination.

The United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) named the former AC Milan player as a Goodwill Ambassador in 1997.