Ghanaian defender Baba Rahman has clarified his decision to take a break from international duty with the Black Stars, revealing that it was motivated by his ongoing injury struggles rather than the boos he received during his last appearance.
The 30-year-old left-back, who currently plays for PAOK, emphasized that his decision was a personal one, focused on recovering his fitness after a challenging period of injuries.”It’s a personal decision to take a break from Ghana to concentrate on my fitness because I’ve had a tough time with injuries,” Rahman told BBC Sport Africa.
“When I joined PAOK last year, I felt it was best to stay away from international football for a while to get my fitness back.
“Rahman’s absence from the national team sparked discussion earlier this year, with then-coach Otto Addo mentioning in May 2024 that the booing Rahman endured during his last appearance for Ghana had impacted both him and his family.
However, Rahman insists that his decision was about prioritizing his health and well-being.”Fans ask me all the time to come back, but right now, I need to focus on my health above everything else,” he added. “People are aware of my injury history, and it has been a difficult few years.
I want to enjoy my club football again, and I know once I’m fully fit, my international career will resume. “Rahman’s career has been plagued by injuries, including two ACL tears, leaving him sidelined for nearly three years between 2017 and 2020.
Despite making a return for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2022 World Cup, both tournaments ended in early exits for Ghana.
