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Two years after hanging up his boots, former FIFA World Footballer of the Year George Weah looks like scoring a bigger goal: he is one of the frontrunners in October's presidential elections in his native Liberia. If he wins, he'll captain a country wrecked by a decade and a half of civil war. Pauline Bax spoke to Weah at his main residence in Monrovia. (The house, one of reportedly three he owns in the war-scarred city, sports a basketball court and swimming pool).

As you campaign, what is your primary message to the Liberian people and to the international community? I believe in peace and reunification. As I stressed when I was working for UNICEF [as a goodwill ambassador], it's time for the world to unite to make a better place for our children, for the generations to come. Because all we see around us is people dying. We have to see how we can combat terrorism and bring about true security in our communities. My message is about peace, my message is about reunification and my message is about human growth. And Liberia will take the first step in the months to come, when I'm elected, to reassure the world that we are serious about eradicating terrorism in our region. The stories about Liberia in the news do not reflect the Liberia we know.

The economy is in ruins. Where and how do you start to rebuild? By bringing about peace and stability. Also, I accepted the GEMAP [a donor and UN-backed economic plan to renew Liberia] because I want true economic growth for our people. GEMAP will monitor our progress and will help and teach all of us fiscal responsibility and discipline. GEMAP will help us regain the confidence of the global community and bring in long-term investors. Liberia is a rich country but its resources have never been used in the interest of our people.

Football to politics isn't an obvious career path. Are there common skills? I'm not just a footballer. If you look at the way I played the game, I played professionally, with respect, with discipline. Football was my passion but because of difficulties in this country I returned to see what I could do. I'm also a technician. I worked with the Liberian telecommunications at an early age. I have experience and I am a professional. I can bring professionalism and discipline to the government. I will not tolerate corruption. Anybody who behaves corruptly around me will be disciplined. Also my standing as a footballer will help me to bring a new sense of unity to political life here because every Liberian looks at me like a son.

Will your popularity as a footballer translate into votes? It's clear my voters are mixed Liberians: older people, younger people, middle class people. Political opponents say that only young people are behind me. But this is a political game in which opponents say negative things about my party CDC [Congress for Democratic Change]. But CDC is the people's party and everybody is represented. Almost 75% of the people have been marginalized in this country. These are the people who are tired of the political rhetoric and these are the people who are supporting me. We have a very strong party. I'm very happy that Liberians decided finally to choose a leader who is ready to move the country forward.

You seem convinced that you are going to be the next president of Liberia. What makes you so confident? At the end of the day, what happens is God's plan but I don't think it's going to be a failure for me. For the first time in the history of the country, a young man is leading a political party that supports the interests of the people. I'm very proud that I can bring all Liberians together. And if I am defeated, I will remain committed to working in the interests of this country.

Which opponents pose the greatest threat to your electoral chances? There is no one specific opponent I see as a target or somebody I am afraid of. This is a political game that everybody plays.

Liberia has been so badly scarred by war. Surely you will need more than one term to get the country back on its feet? Liberia is weak because of the war and you need to help people so they regain confidence. It's going to take time. But I think when the basic necessities are there, the people will know that there is hope. When you bring light and water to the people, you are showing them that you want to do something. Things are going to be difficult at first but it can be smooth if we set our priorities. Gradually, Liberia can move forward. You just need honest people, people that believe in the country.

Do you still have time to play football these days? Of course! I play every Sunday morning and sometimes I play basketball. I am a sportsman and I don't think I will ever forget about sports. I respect the game — the game is a beautiful game and the football family is a beautiful family. I left the football field but I will never forget the family because football has done a lot for me. It gave me respect, dignity and love. I will still partake in sports, even when I am president. Samuel Doe, when he was president of this country, came to the football field to play with us. So I will not be the first or the last president of Liberia to play.

• Former FIFA World Footballer of the Year George Weah is one of the frontrunners in Liberia's presidential elections