Ghanaian football legend Asamoah Gyan recently opened up about the defining moment of his career: the missed penalty against Uruguay in the 2010 World Cup quarter-final.
Despite a career filled with passion and goals, Gyan acknowledges this miss as his “biggest regret.”
“I live in my dream and everyone sees the passion I play football with. That penalty miss was my biggest regret. That’s the only negativity that can be associated with me.” Asamoah Gyan told Onua TV
The penalty was awarded after Luis Suarez’s controversial handball on the line, which resulted in his sending off. With the chance to send Ghana to the semi-finals for the first time ever, the pressure was immense. Gyan stepped up for the penalty, but his shot sailed over the bar, pushing the game to a penalty shootout. While Gyan converted his penalty in the shootout, Ghana ultimately fell short, losing 4-2.
Despite the miss, Gyan’s legacy remains untarnished. He holds the title of Africa’s leading World Cup scorer with six goals and boasts an impressive international record: 51 goals in 109 appearances for Ghana, making him the nation’s all-time top scorer.
Gyan, who retired from professional football in June 2023, is remembered for his passion and dedication on the pitch. The 2010 penalty miss may linger, but it’s a mere footnote in a glittering career that solidified him as a Ghanaian and African footballing legend.