Asamoah Gyan, former captain of the Ghana national team, has revealed the harsh reality of his financial situation after retiring from professional football.
Once among the highest-paid athletes in the world, Gyan’s career came to an end in 2023 with a mere €724 left in his bank account, according to an interview he gave to GhanaWeb, which was later picked up by the Spanish sports daily Marca.
The 37-year-old, who gained international fame as a key figure for Ghana during the 2010 World Cup, where the team reached the quarter-finals, has had a turbulent few years following his retirement.
With 107 international caps and 51 goals to his name, Gyan’s footballing career once saw him commanding substantial wages, but a series of personal and financial misfortunes have led to his dramatic downfall.
Gyan’s financial troubles began after his 2018 divorce from his ex-wife, who had been accused of infidelity.
In the aftermath, Gyan was ordered by the courts to pay significant compensation for his children, whom he had subjected to DNA tests to confirm paternity.
🤑💸Ganó millones como el octavo futbolista mejor pagado del mundo y se quedó con 724 euros https://t.co/sDGQeAXtcp
— MARCA (@marca) December 10, 2024
These proceedings left him in a difficult position financially, with the former striker losing valuable assets including his house in the United Kingdom, a villa in Accra, and luxury vehicles such as a BMW and an Infiniti car.
Additionally, he was forced to relinquish a gas station that he had owned.
The former footballer’s woes were compounded by the lack of payment during his final months at Kayserispor in Turkey.
Gyan, whose earnings during his peak years included €193,000 per week between 2011 and 2015 in the United Arab Emirates, and €274,000 weekly at Shanghai SIPG in China, found himself struggling to cover his expenses.
At his highest, he was among the world’s top earners, just behind stars like Neymar and Gareth Bale.
However, despite his financial struggles, Gyan has made a notable comeback.
Reports indicate that the former forward, whose fortune had once been a closely guarded secret, has ventured into several successful investments, including boxing, tennis, music, noodle distribution, and public transport.
He is also active in humanitarian work, which he says has become a central part of his post-football life.
Gyan commented on his mission to give back to his country, stating, “I have not been fair to the youth and people of Ghana. As of now, I am not affiliated to any political party.
I will continue my humanitarian work and help the youth of Ghana in my own way.
Nothing political. May God bless our homeland Ghana. Thank you.
Despite his past financial troubles, Gyan’s focus now seems to be on rebuilding his life and contributing to the future of Ghana’s youth, a testament to his resilience in the face of adversity.
