Arsenal and Ghana star Thomas Partey has shared a little-known fact about his early life — revealing that if football hadn’t worked out, he might have pursued a career as a painter.

Speaking during a rapid-fire Q&A with The Sportsblog248.com, the 31-year-old midfielder reflected on his childhood and how close he came to taking a different path entirely.

“Maybe I would be a painter,” Partey admitted. “I used to be good at it, but now I don’t know.”

According to Partey, his father once enrolled him at a local painting workshop, hoping he would build a career out of his artistic talent. However, his love for football proved stronger.

“I remember one day my father took me to a painting shop to start painting,” he recalled. “But I went there once — and the rest of it was on the field.”

Though he no longer practices the craft, Partey spoke with fondness about his brief experience in the world of art. Still, he made it clear he has no plans to return to painting.

Partey has been a key figure for Arsenal this season, but his campaign took a hit after the Gunners were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League semi-finals by Paris Saint-Germain.