Former Ghana international Derek Boateng has jumped to the defence of Michael Essien whose dedication and sacrifice for the senior national team, Black Stars has not been appreciated by some Ghanaians.
Despite helping Ghana qualify for their first-ever World Cup tournament in 2006 and going on to star at the tournament, Essien has been largely criticised for not showing enough commitment to the national team during his playing days.
In 2018, the midfielder said in a TV interview he felt Ghanaians do not appreciate his service to the nation.
“When people talk about Essien, I think they don’t really know him well,” former Fulham midfielder Boateng, who featured alongside Essien at the 2006 World Cup following their days with Ghana’s U17 and 20 sides, told Goal on Sunday.
“I played with him at the Ghana U17s and we moved to the U20s together, we stayed in the same house in Dansoman, so I know this guy in and out. When I hear people say things not appreciating him, I know they are wrong – they don’t know him.
“Sulley Muntari for example, people judge him a lot that he is this or that, but no, they don’t know him. Essien has done so much and everything he achieved in his career is deserving because he’s worked so hard for it.
“No matter what people say about him, he’s a winner and a champion – you can never take that away from him.”
Essien made 58 appearances for Black Stars and scored nine goals while Boateng played 47 times for Black Stars and scored one goal.