Former Ghana international Michael Essien has said he hopes Ghanaians hold in high regard, his contribution to the national teams he played for.
The former Chelsea midfielder represented Ghana at four different World Cups in an international career spanning sixteen years.
His first was with the national under-17 team, the Black Starlets in 1999. Two years later, Essien would represent Ghana at the World Youth Championships in Argentina.
U20 WORLD FINAL, 2001-07-08 (photo); (add.info.: Argentina's Andres D'Alessandro (C) is challenged by Ghana's Michael Essien (L) and Derek Boateng in the final of the FIFA World Youth Championship, in Velez Sarsfield stadium on July 8, 2001.
RR); REUTERS.
At senior level, Essien helped Ghana qualify for their maiden World Cup appearance in 2006, and although he was an integral member of the team that qualified for South Africa 2010 World Cup, he missed out through a knee injury.
He would however return to lead Ghana to another World Cup, notably scoring in the 6-1 demolition of Egypt in 2013, in a play-off time in Kumasi.
''I hope they are. I think I am one of the few players to have gone through every age category, represented the country at those levels and succeeded so I hope they are (appreciative of his service to the country,'' Essien concluded.
While Essien's contribution to the national team cannot be question, questions will remain about what he could have achieved had he been luckier with injuries.
For five years - between 2007 and 2012, Essien endured an injury-interrupted career with the national team. He suffered two anterior cruciate ligament injuries and a torn medial collateral ligament damage.
Yet, in an exclusive conversation with JoySports editor Fentuo Tahiru Fentuo, Essien looked back on his international career, with grace.
''Most of my bad injuries happened when I was playing for the Black Stars but who cares, it happens. I do not hold any grudges or anything. I was just unlucky and injuries are part of the game so we just have to deal with it. You know, I have no regrets. I think I had quite a decent career and I always look into the positive side of every situation.'' he said.
Graceful heart: Essien (left) retains a positive outlook on his international career
Essien scored nine times in fifty-nine appearances for Ghana between 2002 and 2014.
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