Ghana football legend Asamoah Gyan has announced the passing of his father, George Gyan Baffour Mensah, paying tribute to the man he credits for helping shape his journey to becoming one of Africa’s greatest footballers.
The former Black Stars captain shared the heartbreaking news in an emotional post on social media, reflecting on his father’s unwavering support and expressing gratitude for the sacrifices he made throughout his life.
“I’m happy you saw my greatness, Da. Thank you for taking care of us. You will forever be in our hearts. R.I.P. (ASASE J).”
The message has since attracted an outpouring of sympathy from football fans, former teammates, sports personalities and well-wishers, who have flooded social media with condolences for Gyan and his family.
Although George Gyan Baffour Mensah largely stayed away from public attention, he was widely recognized as a pillar of support throughout his son’s football career. His encouragement played a significant role in Gyan’s rise from the streets of Accra to becoming Ghana’s all-time leading scorer and one of the continent’s most celebrated players.
Asamoah Gyan enjoyed a distinguished professional career spanning more than two decades, representing clubs in Ghana, Italy, France, England, the United Arab Emirates, China, India and Turkey. On the international stage, he captained the Black Stars at several Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and FIFA World Cups, finishing his career with a record 51 goals for Ghana. He also holds the distinction of being Africa’s highest-scoring player in FIFA World Cup history with six goals.
Known for frequently highlighting the importance of family in his life, Gyan’s latest message underscored the deep bond he shared with his father. His tribute reflected both the grief of losing a parent and his appreciation that his father lived to witness the remarkable achievements of his football career.
The Gyan family is expected to announce details of the funeral and burial arrangements in the coming days as tributes continue to pour in from across Ghana and the international football community.
