Ghanaian defender Baba Rahman has expressed a possible return to the Black Stars but emphasized that it will only occur when he feels fully prepared.

The 30-year-old last played for the national team during a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against the Central African Republic in Kumasi, where he faced criticism and boos from some fans.

Rahman, however, clarified that his current absence from the national squad is unrelated to that incident, explaining that his primary focus is on regaining his fitness and maintaining his health.

“It’s a personal decision to take a break from playing for Ghana to concentrate on my fitness because I haven’t had the best time with injuries,” Rahman shared with BBC Sport Africa.

“When I joined PAOK last year, I thought it was wise to step back from international football for a while to work on my fitness.”

The experienced left-back endured a challenging period of 999 days on the sidelines between 2017 and 2020 due to multiple injuries, including two severe ACL tears.

Although he returned to the international stage for the 2021 AFCON and the 2022 World Cup, both tournaments saw early exits for Ghana.

“Fans often ask me when I’ll return to play for Ghana, but at the moment, my health needs to come first,” Rahman stated.

“People are aware of my injury history, and it’s been a tough few years. I want to enjoy playing club football again, and I believe that once I’m fully fit, my international career will naturally follow.”

Rahman’s decision underscores the importance of player well-being, as he continues to prioritize his recovery and club commitments before making a return to the national team.