AC Milan and Ghana midfielder Kevin Prince-Boateng has quit international football in order to focus on his fitness for his club.

Prince-Boateng, 24, is a former German youth international who was born to a Ghanaian father and German mother. After much controversy, he opted to play for Ghana in time for the 2010 World Cup and starred as the side reached the quarter-finals of the competition.

However, having helped Milan to win the Serie A title in 2010-11, he has now chosen to focus his attentions on his Italian club.

A statement read: ''The Ghana Football Association has received a letter from player Kevin Prince-Boateng on his decision to resign from the senior national team, the Black Stars.

''According to Kevin, the physical demands of playing for both club and country at high levels are taking a toll on his health.

''The player also explained that in order to remain healthy and stay off any injuries, he has consulted his doctors and family over the matter and has decided to take the decision to excuse himself from national duties since he is on a special training that he has to interrupt to honour national invitations.

''The Ghana Football Association is yet to take a position on the decision of Kevin Prince Boateng.''

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/979594/kevin-prince-boateng-quits-international-football?cc=5901

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Another bizarre retirement from International football. I personally am not buying his reasons for quitting as there have to be other footballers out there that have similar regimens and yet have no problem playing for both club and country. KPB is no longer motivated to play for Ghana and his displays at the WC increased his profile and earned him a move to Milan ultimately, that was his goal and with that accomplished, he no longer needs Ghana. Very calculating move.

That little thug was always just gunning for the next pay check.

i really love the player but his attitude towards ghana hasnt impressed me... come on prince u r not the only one who plays for both the NT and club,, look at pato poor fellow who gets more injury then u plays for his country when ever he could its a pride to play for ur country not a burdain,, i would quit my club to play for my country if i have to if was a professional

It's always a shame when a professional athlete does not have the patriotism to represent his or her nation on the international field.

The solution for this lies with FIFA. Stop the pointless friendlies.

I am very sure that Boateng quit international football only because of the friendlies he has to play in some distant corner of the world.

I actually respect that. It's better to not play than to play unwillingly.

Well, KPB was born and lived in Germany and he played for the German U15 up to U21 from 2001 to 2009, so I guess his patriotism for Ghana was rather minute in the first place.

Massive loss of respect for this guy, Ghana were starting to look like they could go somewhere and with a bit of new talent rising and a core player just quits.

He's only like 25 right? Disgusting.

Won't lose any sleep over it.

Well he only went with Ghana because he had a falling out with the German NT, the kid grew up in Berlin and only went to Ghana like twice, his Ghanaean dad was mostly absent and his mom was German, so where should he have gotten this supposed patriotism from, or even any kind of national identity?

Jerôme >>>>> Kevin Prince.

'Boateng, aged 24 retires from International Football.'

All I needed to read to know his true intentions.

Enjoy your "new Essien", Black Stars. :X

VivaStPauli wrote:Well he only went with Ghana because he had a falling out with the German NT, the kid grew up in Berlin and only went to Ghana like twice, his Ghanaean dad was mostly absent and his mom was German, so where should he have gotten this supposed patriotism from, or even any kind of national identity?

Jerôme >>>>> Kevin Prince.

Yeah well, in this light it makes sense.

In these cases it's a pity, I guess, that a person has represented a nation that he or she doesn't feel that passionately about in the first place.

So KPB retired from international football so what he has a bright future ahead of him. :dance:

My calling this move bizarre wasn't fitting in hindsight.

This is rather disgraceful from Boateng. Using an entire nation to further is own personal reputation and image. Can't respect that kind of man.

Really disrespecful to Ghana as well. Complete lack of respect.

Age 24. Retired from international football. Does he think Ghana are stupid?

Ghana and Boateng benefited from this Boateng was essential in Ghana making the QF.

He's only confirmed something we've all known since the World Cup, he obviously doesn't see himself Ghanaian, just like Ballotelli and Welbeck. Ghanaians are grateful for his contributions at the World Cup, but Boateng is certainly not irreplaceable.

We did without Essien, we'll surely do without him, it hurts a bit though, since Ghana helped him get into the global spotlight, after being relegated from the EPL with lowly Portsmouth.

Ghana has a lot of midfielders coming up, Agyemang-Badu, Derek Boateng, Andre Ayew, Kwadwo Asamoah and Emmanuel Frimpong, will certainly fill any "vacuum" Kevin has left. He has only played two matches for Ghana since the World Cup and was quite poor in both.

I wish him the best in his footballing career....

No one will even notice his absent or lose a sleep.

disgraceful ...

Not like he is super important for Ghana, he hasn't played that many games for them since the World Cup. If he didn't have the passion to play for Ghana then the move is for the best, I don't have a problem with it.

Iceman wrote:I actually respect that. It's better to not play than to play unwillingly.

TOTALLY agree.


And guys, there is a difference between retiring and resigning. I'm sure he'll try to return at some point (2014), but whether or not he'll be accepted is another story.

Sure, I agree that he shouldn't play if doesn't want to, but TBH he shouldn't have made the switch at all then, this just seems like a lack respect towards Ghana, who deserve better as a Team and as a Nation imho.

Ah, he will change his mind in 2014 when the next WC is around the corner.

Do you think Germany would play him each game?

Thats when he made his decision to play for Ghana instead.

Frimpong just made a decision to play for Ghana and he might do the same.

These players who were raised in another country have mixed feelings for both homeland and current country. Actually they dont feel connected to either.

So I kinda understand Prince.