Former Chelsea star Michael Essien announces retirement from Ghana national team

Published on: 30 July 2018

Former Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien has announced his retirement from the Ghana national team, four years after he took the decision not to play for the Black Stars again.

The former Real Madrid enforcer said he took the decision even before the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil insisting he was forced to return from retirement.

Essien has not played for the Black Stars since Ghana’s disappointing campaign at the 2014 World Cup where he was largely fingered to have contributed to the player revolt in camp.

The Uefa Champions League winner who has racked up 58 appearances for Ghana has now revealed that he has retired from international football.

“If I am called to the Black Stars, No!” he told GHOne TV.

“This is because I am retired. I even retired before we went to the World Cup in Brazil but I was called to come and help.

“And then in Brazil they treated me like…”

Essien has had many run-ins with the Ghana national team suffering his most horrific injuries while on duty with the Black Stars.

He made his competitive debut for the Black Stars at the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations staged in Mali.

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