Andre Ayew: I Have No Plans to Retire from Football Yet

Andre Ayew, the captain of Ghana’s national football team, has firmly stated that he has no plans to retire from international football, despite recent doubts regarding his future with the Black Stars. Ayew, who holds the record for the most appearances for Ghana with 120 caps, has not played for the national team in over a year but made it clear that he is not ready to end his international career just yet.

In an interview with BBC Sport Africa, Ayew expressed his pride in maintaining a high level of performance for so many years. He acknowledged the immense sacrifices required to stay at the top of the game for such a long period. “It makes you feel good,” Ayew said, reflecting on his extensive career. “There’s a lot of sacrifice involved in staying at the top level for this long.” He went on to highlight the increasing challenges that come with aging, such as the need for more intense training and maintaining a strict diet to stay in top condition. As he gets older, Ayew has found that it becomes harder to keep himself from indulging in foods that might negatively impact his performance.

Although Ayew has not been part of Ghana’s national team for the past year, his comments hint at a potential return as the Black Stars prepare for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Ghana will face Chad and Madagascar in March, and Ayew may be part of the squad. His exclusion from recent matches, however, has fueled speculation about his place in the team’s future. In May 2024, Ayew was omitted from the 26-man squad for World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic. Likewise, in August 2024, he was left out of the 23-man squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Angola and Niger.

Despite these exclusions, Ayew remains an iconic figure in African football. He has been a staple in the Black Stars for over a decade and is one of the most recognized players in Ghanaian football history. Following in the footsteps of his father, the legendary Abedi Pele, Ayew has not won a major international trophy with Ghana, but his career has been filled with memorable achievements. Notably, he played a pivotal role in Ghana’s deep runs in the Africa Cup of Nations and was an essential part of the team’s historic 2010 FIFA World Cup campaign, where Ghana narrowly missed out on a semi-final spot. That tournament marked a high point for the Black Stars, as they came within inches of securing a place in the World Cup’s final four, an achievement that would have been a first for an African nation.

Ayew’s journey with the Black Stars began in August 2007 when he made his international debut during a friendly match against Senegal. His performances at the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations earned him a regular starting position in the national team, and since then, he has played in eight AFCON tournaments and three World Cups, making him one of the most seasoned players in the continent’s football history. His experience and leadership on the field have made him a key figure in the Black Stars for more than a decade.

Beyond his international career, Ayew continues to play at the club level. In October 2024, he returned to Le Havre after his previous contract with the club ended in the summer. Ayew signed a one-year deal, marking a new chapter in his club career. His return to Le Havre demonstrates his continued commitment to playing at a high level, even as he approaches the later stages of his career.

Ayew’s dedication to his craft, both for his club and his country, has been a defining feature of his career. His leadership and experience continue to make him a valuable asset to the Black Stars, and his potential return to the team for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers signals his ongoing desire to represent Ghana at the highest level. As Ghana prepares for the next phase of international competition, the possibility of Ayew’s return remains a topic of great interest for football fans in Ghana and across Africa. His journey has been one of resilience, and as he continues to defy the challenges of age, it is clear that his passion for the game is as strong as ever.