Michael Essien has announced his retirement from international football, after representing Ghana for over 12 years. Essien made his Ghana debut in 2002 and had 58 caps and nine goals to his credit.
The 35-year-old, who is currently without a club after parting ways with his Indonesian club Persib Bandung, last played for the Black Stars in 2014 at the World Cup in Brazil.
It will be recalled that Essien was one of the three players, alongside Sulley Muntari and Kevin-Prince Boateng, accused of masterminding agitations for players appearance fees during the tournament.
Essien was quoted in an interview with GHOne TV saying,
“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,” he added.
