Asamoah Gyan urges footballers to plan for life after retirement

Ghana’s all-time top scorer, Asamoah Gyan, has called on footballers to proactively prepare for life after their playing careers.

Speaking at the 2024 Afro Summit in Accra, Gyan highlighted the financial struggles many former football stars face post-retirement and emphasized the importance of planning ahead.

Gyan, who has diversified his income streams through ventures such as a water company and boxing promotion, shared insights from his own journey.

"As football players, we don't think about tomorrow because we feel like we are earning every month, you know, a lot of money,” he remarked.

Reflecting on a pivotal moment in his career, Gyan recounted, "When I got to England, my brother called me and he said, listen, it's time to invest. Let's try and build something. That was when everything started."

He stressed the brevity of a footballer’s professional career, noting, “Footballers, we have a very short career. Football is a temporary job.

Maximum, you start from 18 at the professional level, and then your prime is around 25 to 30, 31, 32. That is when your prime ends. The rest is just a bonus.”

Gyan urged his peers to consider their future beyond the pitch, emphasizing the importance of financial management and investment.

“If maybe God says you have another 60 years to live, how are we going to manage it? We have a very short career. Football is a temporary job,” he concluded.

Gyan’s address serves as a crucial reminder for athletes to think long-term and secure their financial well-being, ensuring they can maintain a stable life after hanging up their boots.