Ghana forward André Ayew has played down suggestions of imminent retirement, insisting he remains physically strong and fully focused on continuing his career at the highest level.
The 36-year-old, who recently signed for Dutch Eredivisie side NAC Breda, says he has not given serious thought to stepping away from the game despite growing speculation about his future.
Ayew, whose career has spanned France’s Ligue 1, the English Premier League and the Turkish Süper Lig, told ESPN that his current condition gives him no reason to consider retirement.
“I never thought about it because my body is good. I feel good.
I’ve played a lot, a lot of years and I thought, you know, I’ve been fit for several years and been able to play games upon games upon games. If I hear so. You know, I live my life day to day, so I prepare myself every time to have a better tomorrow on the field, off the field.
He added that the decision to retire would only come when his body signals it is time to stop.
“I think when the moment comes, your body will tell you. That’s how I see it and for now my body is not responding negatively at all.
So I need to continue working. The matches will get me fitter. They will make me feel better and that’s all I’m thinking about.
Ayew also addressed concerns over a six-month spell without competitive football, clarifying that the break was due to personal matters rather than a lack of professional opportunities.
“I never thought about stopping because the six months I didn’t play was not football reasons. It was personal reasons that I had to deal with and so forth and before so I could clear my mind and come back and be on top of my game mentally, physically that I was working. So I’m quite happy and this is the start of something new and I hope we end it well.
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, Ayew’s performances and playing time at NAC Breda are expected to play a significant role in determining whether he earns a place in Ghana’s squad, as he continues to push for inclusion with the Ghana national football team.
