Former Black Stars player Kevin-Prince Boateng has opened up about a challenging chapter in his football career, recounting how his teammates failed to stand in solidarity with him when he raised concerns about the unfair treatment of Black Stars players during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Boateng and Sulley Muntari were suspended from the team camp after criticizing certain Ghana Football Association officials during the tournament. He recalled that he received a letter notifying him of his expulsion from the team on the morning of Ghana’s crucial game against Portugal, a must-win group match.
Despite Boateng’s efforts to fight for what he believed was the best interest of the entire team, he expressed disappointment that none of his fellow players supported him during his dismissal. He emphasized that his actions were aimed at advocating for the team as a whole, not just himself.
Boateng shared his disappointment during a discussion with Vibe with Five, saying, “No one [spoke]. I wasn’t fighting for myself. I was fighting for the team. I saw them while going out with my luggage, and it was the worst moment. I said to [Muntari], the real team will say ‘we are all not playing.'”
For Boateng, this episode marked the end of his international career with the Ghana national team, as he never returned to represent the Black Stars. Despite Ghana’s promising performance, including a 2-2 draw against Germany in a previous match, they went on to lose 2-1 to Portugal in the final group-stage match, resulting in their early elimination from the World Cup.
After dedicating nearly two decades to his football career, Boateng retired in August 2023, leaving behind a remarkable journey in the world of football.