Criticism after 2010 World Cup penalty miss took a toll on me – Asamoah Gyan
Former Black Stars striker Asamoah Gyan has revealed the intense backlash he faced after missing a crucial penalty against Uruguay in the 2010 World Cup, a miss that took a significant toll on him.
In the quarterfinal clash against the two-time World Cup champions, Gyan missed a vital penalty in the final seconds of extra time, with the match tied at 1-1. Despite successfully converting penalties earlier in the tournament, Gyan’s shot sailed over the crossbar.
This miss proved costly as Ghana eventually lost 4-2 in the subsequent penalty shootout, leading to their elimination from the tournament. Ghana had been on the brink of becoming the first African side to reach a World Cup semi-final.
“The backlash was intense, and it took a toll on me,” Gyan admitted at the Afro Sports Summit in Accra. “But it also made me realize the importance of mental health. Athletes need to take mental health issues seriously and seek help when needed.”
Gyan also highlighted the influence of former defender Sammy Kuffour, who served as a mentor and source of inspiration. “Sammy Kuffour was a trailblazer. His vision and tenacity for creating wealth helped me through some of my toughest times before and after my footballing career.”
Gyan, who announced his retirement in June 2023, remains Ghana’s all-time leading goal scorer with 51 goals and Africa’s leading goal scorer in World Cup history.
