Home Football Michael Essien retires from international football

Michael Essien retires from international football

0
0

Former Chelsea and Real Madrid player Michael Essien announced his retirement from international football. Essien said the reason he was retirement was so that way could be made for the ‘younger generation’.

The midfielder hadn’t played a single match for Ghana since appearing as a second half substitute in their 2014 World Cup opener against United States. Essien along with Sulley Muntari and Kevin-Prince Boateng were sent back from the tournament just hours before Ghana’s match against Portugal owing to disciplinary reasons.

While talking on GHOne TV, Essien said, “If I am called to play for the Black Stars again I won’t honour it. No, it’s not possible. This is because I’ve retired from international duty. I even retired before we went to the World Cup in Brazil but I was called back [by coach Kwesi Appiah] to come and help. And then in Brazil they treated me like [something] so I’m not playing for the country again. It’s time for the new generation.”

Essien made his debut for the national team at the 2002 African Cup of Nations against Morocco at Seogu, Mali. He helped the team qualify for their maiden World Cup in 2006. He was also in Ghana’s squads for the 2008 and 2010 African Cup of Nations. Essien was named Ghanian Footballer of the Year in 2007. The midfielder played a total of 58 matches for the Black Stars, scoring 9 goals.

Michael Essien, now 35, is currently out of a club after being released by Indonesian club Persib Bandung this summer.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here