Ghanaian defender Baba Rahman has shed light on his decision to step away temporarily from the national team, the Black Stars as reported by ghanasoccernet
The 30-year-old clarified that his choice was driven by his history of injuries rather than the negative reception he received during his last outing for the team.
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In May 2024, head coach Otto Addo addressed Rahman’s absence from the national squad, noting that the booing from fans had impacted the PAOK left-back and his family, influencing his decision to take a break.
Speaking to BBC Sport Africa, Rahman explained, “It’s a personal decision to step back from the national team to focus on my fitness because I’ve struggled with injuries in recent years. When I joined PAOK last year, I felt it was wise to take a break from international duties to regain my fitness.”
He added, “Fans keep urging me to return and play for Ghana, but my priority right now is my health. Everyone is aware of my injury history; it’s been a tough few years. I want to enjoy playing club football again, and I’m confident my international career will follow suit once I’m fully fit.”
Rahman’s struggles with injuries have been significant, sidelining him for 999 days between 2017 and 2020 due to multiple setbacks, including two ACL tears. He made a comeback for the 2021 AFCON and the 2022 World Cup, but both tournaments ended in early exits for Ghana.
