Jordan picks Atsu as best teammate, snubs Gyan and Dede

Ghanaian forward Jordan Ayew has paid glowing tribute to the late Christian Atsu, describing him as the best player he has ever played with.

According to Ayew, Atsu’s contributions to the Black Stars were often underappreciated despite his immense talent and impact on the national team.

Ayew and Atsu shared the pitch for Ghana’s senior national team for nearly a decade, with Ayew making his debut in 2010 and Atsu following in 2012.

Atsu reached the pinnacle of his international career in 2015 when he played a starring role in Ghana’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign, which saw the Black Stars finish as runners-up. He was named Player of the Tournament and also won the Goal of the Tournament award after scoring twice during the competition.

Speaking to Joy Sports about the best players he has played with, Ayew acknowledged Ghanaian football greats such as his brother André Ayew and former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan. However, he ultimately chose Atsu as his top pick.

“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 said.

“What he has done for the national team is remarkable. Don’t get me wrong, you have Asamoah Gyan, you have Dede (André Ayew). Honestly, playing in that generation with that group of people was just unbelievable. It was top, but I’ll give it to Christian because he truly deserves plaudits. People don’t talk much about him, but he was a really top player,” he added.

Atsu, who tragically passed away in February 2023 following the devastating earthquake in Turkey, was widely admired for his skill, pace, and technical ability. His contributions to Ghanaian football remain memorable, particularly his performance at AFCON 2015, where he was instrumental in guiding the team to the final.

Meanwhile, Jordan Ayew also expressed gratitude to Ghanaians for their unwavering support during the recent international break. In an emotional open letter, the 33-year-old Black Stars captain reassured fans of the team’s commitment to making amends following their failure to qualify for AFCON 2025.

Ghana secured back-to-back victories for the first time in nine months, defeating Chad 5-0 and Madagascar 3-0 to revive their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification hopes.

“On behalf of my colleagues, I’d like to extend our sincerest gratitude for your unwavering support during our recent 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Madagascar.

Your infectious energy, passion, and loyalty inspire us, and we’re deeply honored to represent this great nation,” Ayew stated.