Ghanaian forward Jordan Ayew has showered praise on the late Christian Atsu, naming him the best player he has ever played alongside.
Ayew and Atsu were key figures in the Black Stars setup for nearly a decade, with Ayew making his international debut in 2010 and Atsu following two years later in 2012.
Atsu’s finest moment in a Ghana jersey came during the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where he played a pivotal role in the Black Stars’ journey to the final. His outstanding performances earned him the Player of the Tournament award, while his stunning strike against Guinea was crowned Goal of the Tournament.
Atsu Deserves More Recognition
Speaking to Joy Sports about the best players he has played with, Ayew acknowledged the greatness of several Ghanaian football icons, including his brother Andre Ayew and legendary striker Asamoah Gyan. However, he ultimately picked Atsu, believing he was underrated during his career.
“To be honest, I’ll go for Atsu. He deserves a lot of credit and plaudits for what he has done in his career,” Ayew stated.
“What he has done for the national team is remarkable. Don’t get me wrong, we’ve had top players like Asamoah Gyan and Dede [Andre Ayew]. Playing in that generation with those players was unbelievable. But I’ll give it to Christian because he truly deserves more recognition. People don’t talk about him enough, but he was a really top player.”
Atsu, who had a distinguished club career with stints at Newcastle United, FC Porto, and Chelsea, was known for his dazzling dribbling, creativity, and versatility on the pitch. His impact on Ghanaian football remains unforgettable, and Ayew’s tribute serves as a testament to the winger’s enduring legacy.