Football doesn’t lie – Jordan Ayew dismisses claims of favouritism
Black Stars captain Jordan Ayew has rejected suggestions that his long-standing place in Ghana’s national team is due to his famous family name, insisting his career has been built on merit and performance.
The 34-year-old forward, who made his senior debut for Ghana in September 2010, has been a key figure for the Black Stars for more than a decade. Despite his contributions, Ayew has often found himself under scrutiny from sections of the Ghanaian public.
Speaking to GFA Media, the Leicester City striker said being the son of Ghana football legend Abedi Pele has brought additional pressure rather than privilege.
“When people say that, it makes me laugh because for me it’s even harder,” Ayew said.
“There is always that perception that it’s because of your father or your family connections. But football doesn’t lie on the grass.”
Ayew explained that carrying the weight of a famous surname means constantly having to prove himself, both to supporters and critics.
“We are allowed to criticise, but at the end of the day you need to keep your head straight, do what you do best and believe in yourself because it’s not easy,” he said.
“You need to know how to deal with those moments and have thick skin because football is not easy.”
The experienced attacker has remained a regular fixture in the national team setup and is expected to play a leading role as Ghana prepares for the 2026 World Cup.
The Black Stars, who are set to make their fifth appearance at the FIFA World Cup, have been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England and Croatia.
Ghana’s squad has already arrived in the United States to intensify preparations ahead of the competition. Otto Addo’s side will begin their campaign against Panama on 17 June at BMO Field before facing England on 23 June at Gillette Stadium. Their final group match will be against Croatia on 27 June.
The four-time African champions will round off their preparations with a friendly match against Jamaica on 10 June as they aim to make a strong start to their World Cup journey.
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