Ghana midfielder Michael Essien says he quit international football even before the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, stating he was only called to help the team participate at its third successive mundial.
The former Chelsea ace, 35 is currently without a club having left Indonesian club Persib Bandung earlier this year.
He has not featured for the Black Stars since Ghana’s debacle at the 2014 World Cup where he was largely fingered to have contributed to the player revolt in camp.
However, the 35- year old enforcer says he has now officially retired from international football in an interview with GHOne TV.
“If I am called to the Black Stars, No!” he said.
“This is because I am retired. I even retired before we went to the World Cup in Brazil but I was called to come and help.
“And then in Brazil they treated me like…”
The former Chelsea star during his playing active playing days had many run in with the Ghana national team suffering his most horrific injuries while on duty with the Black Stars.
He made his competitive debut for Ghana at the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations staged in Mali.
