Ghanaian content creator and Dabo Soccer Academy founder, Samuel Yaw Dabo has announced plans to auction the iPhone he used to record his now-viral video with Chelsea and England legend John Terry — for a staggering GH¢2 million.
The announcement, made via Angel TV, has already set social media ablaze.
If you missed it, Yaw Dabo was one of the biggest Ghanaian winners of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada — even off the pitch. While in the US to support the Black Stars, the Kumawood star turned football entrepreneur embarked on a content run that became a global moment.
His highlight? Meeting former England captain John Terry. In classic Yaw Dabo fashion, he enthusiastically called him “John Telly” in the video — a slip that instantly became a meme, a catchphrase, and a global trend. The clip has since done millions of views across TikTok, Instagram and X.
Terry himself embraced it. The former defender later sent a heartfelt video message to Dabo, playfully accepting the “John Telly” nickname and expressing interest in visiting Ghana to meet Yaw Dabo and his young players at the Dabo Soccer Academy.
That moment was just one part of Dabo’s memorable World Cup tour. He was also spotted interacting with England stars Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Reece James, Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke and Kobbie Mainoo, making him one of the most talked-about Ghanaian faces at the tournament.
Now, Dabo says the phone that captured history is itself history.
According to him, the iPhone that recorded the viral Terry video is no ordinary device — it’s a piece of Ghanaian pop-culture history. And he’s placing its starting value at GH¢2,000,000.
“This is the phone that made John Telly worldwide,” he joked in his announcement video posted by Angel TV.
Yaw Dabo is known for his business brain. His Dabo Soccer Academy in Kumasi has produced talents and his content strategy at the World Cup was deliberate — promoting the academy while entertaining. He later revealed that part of the “John Telly” buzz was channeled into a call for his “justify your inclusion” program for young footballers.
Fans are split. Some say it’s pure marketing genius and the phone should be in a museum. Others say “GH¢2m for iPhone? Yaw Dabo again!” — which is exactly why it will trend for another week.
Whether someone actually pays GH¢2m for it is another story. But in the attention economy, Yaw Dabo just proved again that he knows how to turn a 30-second clip into a week-long conversation.
In the US last week, he was even mobbed by kids who recognized him as “John Telly” man — so the fame is definitely not fading.
Dabo says proceeds from the auction will support his academy projects back in Kumasi. Terry, meanwhile, has hinted he wants to visit Ghana to meet the man who renamed him.
From a mispronounced name to a potential GH¢2 million payday. Only Yaw Dabo
He called him JOHN TELLY and now wants GH¢2M for the iPhone that recorded it! 😂📱 Yaw Dabo says his viral John Terry moment is worth millions. Would you buy it?
