Asamoah Gyan's retirement has taken over African football Twitter in the past 24 hours and counting. The Black Stars legend has not been in active football since 2021 but had previously left the door open to returning to the game. He eventually announced his retirement on 20 June 2023 at an event in Accra, Ghana, amidst tears and ovations from fans, friends and well-wishers.
The man's fans have now taken to the microblogging social media app to share their sentiments and love for his illustrious playing career upon his retirement alongside wishes from FIFA, CAF and other esteemed football figures.
🥇 Ghana’s all time top scorer – 51 Goals
🥇 Ghana’s most-capped player – 109 Games
🥇 1st Ghanaian to score at World Cup
🥇Africa’s highest scorer at World Cup – 6
🥇1st player to score in 9 consecutive major international tournaments
🥇 BBC African Player of the YearLegend pic.twitter.com/UTeC64Amow
— KALYJAY (@gyaigyimii) June 20, 2023
“Cheers to life” – Twitter says as Ghana icon exits football stage
Asamoah Gyan's teammates, former clubs and opponents have come out to appreciate the striker known fondly as “Baby Jet”. Fatawu Dauda, who was in the Ghana 2014 FIFA World Cup squad, posted on his Twitter: “Forever icon Baby Jet Asamoah Gyan. Enjoy life after playing active football. Cheers to life. HAPPY RETIREMENT!”
Forever icon Baby Jet Asamoah Gyan…. Enjoy life after playing active football. Cheers to life🥂🥂🥂🥂
HAPPY RETIREMENT! ⚽️✅ @ASAMOAH_GYAN3 pic.twitter.com/87q9QGz3t1
— lion 16 (@fataud1) June 20, 2023
Owuraku Ampofo, a Ghana football news journalist, posted a compilation of some of Gyan's best celebrations. The former Udinese striker had some of the best goal celebrations ever seen in the game, and is one of the African players who made dancing celebrations popular in modern European football. Ampofo accompanied the clip with a simple caption that reads, “I will miss Asamoah Gyan's celebrations.”
I’ll miss Asamoah Gyan’s celebrations.pic.twitter.com/SEAtVvWwxO
— Owuraku Ampofo (@_owurakuampofo) June 21, 2023
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) also posted a tributary video in honour of Gyan, who won two second-place medals and one third place medal while representing the Black Stars at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
An absolute legend of the game 🔥
The Ghanaian footballing icon, Asamoah Gyan hanged up his boots 💫
One of the best to ever do it 🌟@GhanaBlackstars | @ASAMOAH_GYAN3 pic.twitter.com/NX2DRPgegL
— #TotalEnergiesAFCONU23 🏆 (@CAF_Online) June 20, 2023
Twitter user @Efson_ chose to talk about Gyan's impact on his life as a fan of the Ghana national football team. “Gyan has no idea how many times he has made me happy,” Twitter user @Efson_ posted. “I adore him.”
Twitter user @Efson_ then went on to mention his favourite goal by the two-time Ghana player of the year. “My favourite Gyan goal was against Algeria in the 2015 Afcon. We wouldn't have made it past the group stage, let alone reaching the final, without that goal. Happy retirement,” Twitter user @Efson_ posted.
Gyan has no idea how many times he has made me happy. I adore him. My favourite Gyan goal was against Algeria in the 2015 Afcon. We wouldn't have made it past the group stage, let alone reaching the final, without that goal. Happy retirement 🐐 pic.twitter.com/3HxkgMm4OG
— Fiifi (@Efson_) June 20, 2023
“It is time,” Gyan says in retirement message
Gyan, in his retirement speech at the Accra International Conference Centre during the Afreximbank 30th annual meeting when he pointed out that he had to succumb to the voice in his ear that told him it was time to officially retire from the sport.
“Will never leave my love “ ❤️⚽️ @ghanafaofficial @CAF_Online @FIFAWorldCup @FIFAcom @AnimSammy @PrinxRandy pic.twitter.com/IX05ZTywlw
— ASAMOAH GYAN (@ASAMOAH_GYAN3) June 20, 2023
“It is time,” he said. “That voice has been very clear in my ears and I have succumbed to it. It is time. It is time to hang the jersey and the boots in glory as I retire officially from active football.”
Gyan then went on to promise the fans that he will apply his knowledge to helping Ghana football “in the field of coaching, football business and scouting.” A Ghanaian sports journalist, Oscar Nuwati, then quoted Gyan's tweet announcing his retirement with a suggestion that many Ghanaian fans were in support of.
“If I were Kurt Okraku, The GFA, and the powers that be, I’ll call up Asamoah Gyan for Ghana’s last Nations Cup qualifiers in September against the Central Africa Republic just to honor the legend and give him a proper farewell with over 40,000 fans there to say a proper bye-bye,” he stated.
🎯 The first player in history to score in NINE consecutive international tournaments.
Asamoah Gyan – Ghana’s greatest ever striker ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/XMaagnJcmk
— Owuraku Ampofo (@_owurakuampofo) June 20, 2023
It remains to be seen if the Ghanaian FA will succumb to this but it will be a great farewell for a man who has entertained all of Africa for almost two decades.
This article was most recently revised and updated 2 years ago