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The 30-year-old has ended his international career, three years after his last appearance with the Black Stars.
Hellas Verona midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu has announced his retirement from the national team.
The 30-year-old closes the door to his international career, 12 years after making his debut.
He made more than 70 appearances for the Black Stars, scoring around 10 goals and representing the national team in multiple African Cup of Nations (Afcon) tournaments and the World Cup.
“Although he has spent time away from the national team, I am here today to say that the nation has been excellent to me throughout my career with the national team,” Badu told Football Made in Ghana.
“On this day, after speaking with my family and loved ones, I think it is time to officially retire from the national team.
” I have tried several times to win the Afcon for the nation after winning the Afcon U20 and the World Cup. We were close twice, but it’s a bit disappointing that we couldn’t win.
“However, I think my teammates who are now on the national team will do that for us for years to come.”
“I thank the GFA [Ghana Football Association], Government of Ghana and all Ghanaians for their support during my tenure with the national team.
“I am available if the nation needs me to help in any way. Thank you Ghana and God bless us all.”
Badu made his first appearance for Ghana against Lesotho in 2008 and recorded his first goal against Congo in 2011.
Between those two events, he made even more headlines in 2009 by helping Ghana win the 2009 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations and the FIFA U-20 World Cup. He scored the decisive goal in the penalty shootout at the Egypt Youth Championship.
Returning to senior ranks, he played a key role in Ghana’s run to the 2010 Afcon final in Angola, but was unlucky not to be on the World Cup final team that same year.
He then went on to play in the Afcon 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2017 tournaments, the last tournament in Gabon that provided his final round with the national team.
His sublime effort against Guinea during the 2012 edition was nominated for the Fifa Puskas Award.
In 2014, Badu had the opportunity to play in the World Cup, his tournament in Brazil ended with an elimination in the first round.
