Ghanaian football legend Asamoah Gyan has revealed that his illustrious career could have ended following Ghana's quarter-final match against Uruguay in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Gyan experienced one of the most challenging moments of his career during this match when he missed a crucial penalty in the final moments of regular time, a goal that would have propelled Ghana to the semi-finals.

Despite this setback, he demonstrated immense bravery by stepping up to take the team's first penalty in the ensuing shootout and successfully converting it. Unfortunately, Ghana was unable to advance, losing 4-2 to Uruguay.

Reflecting on that moment, Gyan shared his determination to redeem himself, emphasizing that his decision to take the first penalty in the shootout was a testament to his mental strength and resilience.

He believed that his courage in that situation was key to his continued success in football.

“I’m a very competitive guy. I hate to lose, so when I make a mistake, it doesn’t mean I’m incompetent. I want to prove to people that humans make mistakes, but they can be corrected.

That is why I elected to take the first penalty in the shootout after missing my kick,” Gyan said on Wontumi FM.

“I strongly believe if I didn’t retake that penalty, it would’ve been the end of my career. Ronaldo is very competitive too; that’s why he was crying. He has passion for the game.”

Gyan's comments come in light of a similar incident involving five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, who broke down in tears after missing a penalty against Slovenia in the round of 16 of the 2024 European Championship.

Like Gyan, Ronaldo displayed his competitive spirit by scoring the first penalty in the shootout, setting the pace for a 3-0 victory for his team.

Gyan's career continued to flourish after the 2010 World Cup, cementing his legacy as one of Ghana's greatest footballers.

His experience serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of resilience and determination in the face of adversity.