Asamoah Gyan, the former captain of the Ghanaian national football team, the Black Stars, recently announced his retirement from active football after a successful two-decade-long career.
Gyan expressed his contentment and a sense of peace after feeling disrespected for many years. He stated that he never believed he would be celebrated in his home country until he was eulogized on the floor of Parliament.
Following Gyan’s retirement announcement, Members of Parliament (MPs) took turns to honor him as Ghana’s all-time leading scorer. This recognition deeply touched Gyan, and he expressed gratitude for finally feeling appreciated and acknowledged by Ghanaians.
He mentioned that despite the disrespect he had faced in the past, the tribute in Parliament helped him realize the extent of his contributions to Ghanaian football and his impact on putting the country on the global football map.
“Before I’d say I had not been celebrated enough, because there were lots of disrespect and I feel like I am one of those guys who put Ghana on the map, the masses can confirm that but seeing what went on in Parliament, I am now beginning to understand, I’m beginning to feel appreciated by Ghanaians,” he said.
Gyan emphasized that he doesn’t pay much attention to what people say, but the recognition from Parliament and the support he received from the masses validated his belief that he deserved celebration and appreciation. He referred to the statistics of his football career, highlighting that the numbers speak for themselves.
“I don’t really care about what people say but Parliament has confirmed and I’m sure the masses also know in their heart that I should be celebrated. I always say the numbers don’t lie”, Asamoah Gyan said.
His football journey began in 2003 with Liberty Professionals, where he scored ten goals in 16 matches. He then played for various clubs, including Udinese in Italy, Rennes in France, and Sunderland in the English Premier League, where he broke the club’s transfer record. Gyan also had stints with clubs such as Al Ain, Shanghai SIPG, Kayserispor, and North East United before returning to Ghana to play for Legon Cities.
On the international stage, Gyan made 109 appearances for the Black Stars, scoring 51 goals. He participated in three FIFA World Cup tournaments and holds the record as Africa’s top scorer in the competition. Gyan’s last international appearance was during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt, where Ghana exited the tournament in the Round of 16.
