Asamoah Gyan believes he deserves the utmost respect due to the sacrifices he has made for the betterment of the national team.

With an impressive record of 51 goals in 109 appearances, Gyan has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on Ghanaian football.

Having debuted as a teenager in 2003, Gyan’s unwavering commitment and desire for success propelled him to become an integral player for Ghana, eventually earning him the captain’s armband.

One of his notable achievements was leading the Ghana squad at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, where he etched his name in history as Africa’s all-time top scorer in the prestigious tournament, with a total of six goals.

However, Gyan’s national team journey has not been without challenges, and he has faced harsh criticism for pivotal misses, notably his penalty miss that cost Ghana a spot in the semi-final of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Ghana had the opportunity to become the first African nation to reach the last four since Morocco’s achievement in the previous World Cup held in Qatar.

In a recent interview on Asempa FM, Gyan expressed his perspective, saying, “I always say that there are no players in Ghana’s history who have made more sacrifices than me. I don’t see any player. Everybody knows it, even those at the GFA know. When you talk about sacrifices, I know what I’m talking about. The Black Stars [Ghana’s national team] was always on my heart. I made sure I did everything to contribute whenever I represented the national team.”

Meanwhile, the 37-year-old former Sunderland and Al Ain striker insists that his career is not over, despite not having been actively playing for over two years. While he has been focusing on punditry and scouting players during this time, he is determined to make a comeback.

Former Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan has refused to give up on playing football despite being inactive in the last few years.

Following Ghana’s knockout stage exit in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2019, Gyan has not featured for the Black Stars again and last played for Legon Cities in 2021.

The former Sunderland striker has been on punditry duties during major competitions and has intensified the scouting of young talents during his inactive period.

However, he insists, he is yet to decide on announcing his retirement citing his capabilities to continue playing against popular opinions of being old and weak.

“If you love doing something it’s difficult to stop so I’m still behind the scenes contemplating on either continuing to play or ending it,” he told Asempa FM.

“I still feel young but Ghanaians always want to see you quit when you stay long in the game. It is for this reason that certain players like Richard Kingson and co retired unwillingly and that is what really costs us.

“That is when you see people missing the quality in you and wished you were still in the team. Meanwhile, you were least appreciated when you were active.

“But I am not really moved because people tend to override on your popularity to make a name with such comments.”

Gyan still boasts of being the top African scorer at the World Cup with six goals in three tournaments.

He also holds the record of the all-time top scorer for Ghana with 51 goals in 109 appearances.

Milan’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic has retired from football at the age of 41, bringing to an end one of the modern era’s most glittering careers.

“I say goodbye to football but not to you,” the Swede told the San Siro crowd after Sunday’s last game of the season.

Ibrahimovic had already announced he would leave the Italian club.

He scored 511 goals for clubs including Paris St-Germain, Manchester United and both AC and Inter Milan, winning league titles in four countries.

Ibrahimovic began his second spell with AC Milan in early 2020, having won the Scudetto with them in 2011, and helped them win the title again last season.

But he played only four times and started one match for the Serie A side this term – and scored one goal – following a series of injuries, and his contract was set to expire this month.

“There are too many emotions for me right now. Forza Milan and goodbye,” an emotional Ibrahimovic said, holding back tears.

“The first time I came here you gave me happiness, the second time you gave me love.

“You welcomed me with open arms, you made me feel at home, I will be a Milanista for the rest of my life.”

Ibrahimovic won 34 trophies – including 14 league titles – in a career that began in the last century, and was nominated for the Ballon d’Or 11 times.

The one major club trophy that eluded him was the Champions League, with his only European title coming with Manchester United in the shape of the 2017 Europa League.

The striker also retires as Sweden’s all-time top scorer with 62 international goals in 122 matches.

He quit the national side after Euro 2016 but returned in 2021 for their unsuccessful World Cup qualifying campaign.

“I used to be scared when journalists asked by about my future, but now I can accept it, I’m ready,” he told reporters after his announcement.

“I’ve been doing this all my life. Football made me a man. It allowed me to know people I otherwise would never have known. I’ve travelled the world thanks to football. It’s all thanks to football.”

A career laced with gold

Ibrahimovic started his professional career with hometown side Malmo FF in 1999 before moving to Ajax in 2001 for a three-year spell in which he won three league titles.

A move to Italy followed in 2004 with Juventus, where he won two league titles, both of which were later stripped from the club as a result of the Calciopoli scandal.

However, the Swede won three more Serie A titles with his next club, Inter Milan, before a move to Barcelona in 2009.

Ibrahimovic spent only one season at the Catalan club, winning a La Liga title before being loaned to AC Milan, a move which was made permanent in 2011.

A year later, however, and Ibrahimovic was on the move again, signing for Paris St-Germain, where he scored 113 goals in 122 league appearances and won four Ligue 1 trophies.

In July 2016, he signed for Manchester United for a two-year spell with the Premier League club that saw him win the League Cup and the Europa League.

Ibrahimovic signed for MLS side LA Galaxy in 2018, spending two seasons in California before making his return to AC Milan.