Ghana midfield kingpin, Michael Essien has revealed that he has hanged his boots playing for the national team, claiming that he even retired before the 2014 World Cup.
The Chelsea and AC Milan star has not played for the senior national team since the country's unimpressive performance at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil and was largely fingered to have contributed to the player revolt in camp.
However, the 2012 Uefa Champions League winner who made 58 appearances for Ghana has now revealed that he has retired from international football.
“If I am called to the Black Stars, No!.
“This is because I am retired. I even retired before we went to the World Cup in Brazil but I was called to come and help.
“And then in Brazil, they treated me like…”
Essien has had many run-ins with the Ghana national team suffering his most horrific injuries while on duty with the Black Stars.
He made his competitive debut for the Black Stars at the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations staged in Mali.
Essien is currently without a club having left Indonesian club Persib Bandung earlier this year.