Asamoah Gyan’s football career has lasted almost two decades and since he emerged on the scene in 2003, he has achieved a lot at both club and international level.
People may argue that he never won anything with Ghana, or that he didn’t play long enough in Europe’s top leagues. But, individually, his career was probably fulfilling.
At 36, Gyan is getting to the end of his career, but his recent statements on a possible return to the Black Stars have once again put him in the spotlight.
We’re not here to discuss whether or not he deserves to go the Qatar 2022 World Cup. Ours is an article highlighting the legendary career of the veteran forward.
Here are 10 of Gyan’s greatest achievements and records in football:
Ghana’s all-time top scorer
Gyan has undoubtedly been Ghana’s most reliable striker in the last two decades and his record for the national team is impeccable.
The former Sunderland star is currently his country’s all-time top scorer, having scored 51 goals in his time with the Black Stars.
Ghana’s most-capped player
Aside from being Ghana’s highest scorer ever, Gyan is also his country’s most-capped player with 109 appearances.
That record may eventually be overtaken by Andre Ayew, who is currently on 107 caps but, in the meantime, it’s Gyan’s to celebrate.
First Ghanaian to score at World Cup
Gyan was part of the Ghana side that qualified for the country’s first-ever senior World Cup in 2006 and he made an impact in Germany.
The former Liberty Professionals striker scored in Ghana’s 2-0 win against the Czech Republic as the Black Stars won their first-ever World Cup game.
Coincidentally, Gyan’s goal against the Czechs was Ghana’s first at the World Cup, having lost 2-0 to Italy in their opening group game.
Africa’s highest scorer at World Cup
Gyan scored for Ghana in three successive World Cup tournaments in 2006, 2010 and 2014 to etch his name in history.
His tally of six goals makes him Africa’s highest scorer at the World Cup, with Roger Milla trailing by a goal and Ahmed Musa two goals behind.
First player to score in 9 consecutive major international tournaments
For so long Gyan held the record of being the first player to score in nine consecutive major international tournaments without even knowing.
The veteran striker scored in every major tournament from the 2006 World Cup to the 2017 AFCON and that record was only equalled by Cristiano Ronaldo during Euro 2020.
One of fastest players to reach 50 international goals
Did you know that Gyan reached 50 international goals faster than many football greats, including Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo?
The Ghanaian reached 50 goals for Ghana in just 103 appearances, which is almost an average of a goal every two games.
In comparison, Ronaldo took 114 matches to reach 50 goals for Portugal, while Messi needed 121 games to reach that mark for Argentina.
5th highest scorer in UAE league
Gyan spent four years playing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after swapping Premier League side Sunderland for Al Ain in 2011.
And he made his mark in the Asian country, even becoming the UAE Pro League’s fifth highest scorer with 100 goals.
Al Ain’s 2nd all-time top scorer
Gyan won almost every domestic trophy with Al Ain and scored lots of goals too at the UAE club. Little surprise, therefore, that he remains the club’s second highest scorer of all time.
The Ghanaian scored 128 goals in all competitions for Al Ain, which puts him only behind Ahmed Abdullah who netted 180 times for the club.
Ghana player of the decade
In 2021, Gyan was named Player of the Decade at the Ghana Football Awards for his outstanding performances for his country.
It was a tough category, but the veteran striker stood out as he claimed the award to cement his place in history.
BBC African Player of the Year
In 2010, Gyan was voted BBC African Footballer of the Year following his impressive performances that year.
Gyan scored three goals as Ghana reached the final of the 2010 AFCON and also netted three times at the World Cup in South Africa later in the year.
He beat off competition from compatriot Andre Ayew, Ivory Coast’s Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure, and Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o to scoop the award.
