Christian Atsu Wanted To See me Feature At 2022 World Cup – Asamoah Gyan Discloses

Former Black Stars captain, Asamoah Gyan, has revealed that the late Christian Atsu wanted to see him play at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Gyan made this revelation following the unfortunate death of the 31-year-old winger on Saturday.

Atsu was trapped in rubble following a 7.8 magnitude that struck Turkey on February 6, 2023.

The lifeless remains of the former Chelsea winger arrived in Ghana on Sunday for his burial.

Gyan speaking in an interview revealed that the former Newcastle United forward last texted him and urged him to intensify his training as he hoped to make the Black Stars squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

“The last time I spoke to him [Christian Atsu] was prior to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar,” he told Asempa FM.

“What he told me was that I should try and intensify my training and let’s hope I will make the squad for the tournament.

“He wanted to see me at the World Cup because I have that relationship with him and he always believes in me but unfortunately, I could not make the squad,” he added.

Ahead of the Mundial in the Gulf country, Gyan in an interview with the BBC confirmed his intention to make a return to the team.

However, Otto Addo, who was then the head coach did not include the 36-year-old in his squad for the global showpiece.

Gyan played with Atsu at the 2014 World Cup and the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] in Brazil and Equatorial Guinea.

Gyan, meanwhile, remains the country’s all-time leading goal scorer with 51 goals.

Atsu on the other hand played 65 matches for Ghana, scoring nine goals.