Former Black Stars captain, Asamoah Gyan says he always prioritized the national team over everything else.

Gyan, who is the country's all-time leading goal scorer was a key figure for the national team during his playing days.

Opening up on his love for his country, the former Sunderland and Stade Rennais striker said he chose to play for Ghana over signing for Manchester City in 2008.

He explained that the Premier League side wanted to sign him that year but moved on to sign Emmanuel Adebayor when he told them he wanted to play for Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) which was hosted in Ghana.

“I always say I’m very patriotic. At the time Sheik Mansour had freshly bought Man City and they wanted to sign me,” Gyan told Dan Kwaku Yeboah on YouTube.

“But I had the national team at heart. I chose the national team over everything. That’s why some things pain me.

“People didn’t understand. But I’m sure after this interview they’ll understand why things panned out that way," he added.

Gyan insists he hasn’t retired yet but has also not been involved in active football since parting ways with Ghana Premier League side Legon Cities in 2021.

The 37-year-old featured in the 2006, 2010 and 2014 World Cups in Germany, South Africa and Brazil respectively with the Black Stars.