Former Ghana midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu has warned against pushing Andre Ayew out of the Black Stars.
Ayew, who captains the team, has not played for the Black Stars since March 2024, as he has been regularly overlooked by head coach Otto Addo and his technical staff.
Ayew recently resumed club football after joining Le Havre in October, where he has already delivered impressive performances in Ligue 1.
Agyemang-Badu, who played alongside Ayew in Ghana’s U-20 World Cup-winning squad, believes the 34-year-old captain should decide for himself when to retire.
“Ayew is one of my very good friends and I have been privileged to have worked with him. He was my captain (at U-20 level), although he had been playing for the Black Stars,” Agyemang-Badu told Flashscore.
“If he thinks his body is still responding and the coaches still need him, we will all support him to be there.”
However, Badu emphasized that the decision ultimately rests with the coach.
“We have brought in a coach to do a great job for us, so everything lies in the hands of the coach now. Ayew now has a club, he has played some games, and will get his form back.”
“If the coach thinks his experience is still needed as captain to help the guys grow, we will support him 120 per cent. If the coach thinks otherwise, we will support him as well.”
Badu concluded by acknowledging Ayew’s contributions to the Black Stars and supporting his autonomy in making retirement decisions.
“Andre knows his body more than I do, and nobody can force him to retire from the national team or from his club side.”
“If he wakes up tomorrow and says thank you, Ghana, it is time to focus on club football only, we will say thank you and appreciate his contributions because he has done a lot for the Black Stars,” he added.