Black Stars assistant coach and former Ghana international John Paintsil has revealed some of the most difficult moments in his football career, including a period where he faced jail time and endured a four-year spell without a contract.

Speaking on MzGee’s show, "Just Being Us," Paintsil discussed how personal issues, particularly a divorce, and subsequent media controversies negatively impacted his career.

Paintsil, who previously played for Fulham, West Ham United, and Leicester City, opened up about how his family problems became public, which led to the loss of a significant contract worth £2.3 million.

He explained that false reports, including accusations that he had assaulted his ex-wife, derailed his professional life.

"It was a difficult moment; it all started with my family issues. Divorce and all, it became a media issue. I lost my contract... News came that I stabbed my ex-wife in the eye, which never happened," Paintsil clarified.

The wrongful accusations led to his arrest and imprisonment, a traumatic period that saw him sidelined from football for four years as no team was willing to sign him.

"I was out of contract for four years. No team wanted to sign me," Paintsil recalled.

Despite these setbacks, Paintsil credits his late mother’s prayers and his resilience for helping him navigate the tough times.

Reflecting on the lessons learned from his experiences, he emphasized the importance of respect, teamwork, and discipline in football, adding, "You cannot go to training and start kicking your teammates... if key players don’t want you, they can influence the coach."

Paintsil’s story serves as a reminder of the personal and professional challenges athletes face and how determination and support can help overcome even the darkest periods.