Asamoah Gyan retires from international football

Ghanaian striker Asamoah Gyan has announced he will take an indefinite break from international football.

In Gyan's last appearance for his country, he missed a penalty in a 1-0 semi-final defeat at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations against eventual champions Zambia.

The forward also missed a late penalty in Ghana's 2010 World Cup quarter-final loss to Uruguay and after receiving heavy criticism, has decided to take a step back from the international stage.

"My decision had the full backing of family and friends," read a letter that the striker sent to the Ghana Football Association.

His manager Dentaa also confirmed the decision via his Twitter account saying: "It's a break for a while."

Gyan scored 28 goals in 59 appearances for the Black Stars and made history when he became the first ever Ghanaian to score at a FIFA World Cup.

In 2008, Gyan and his brother Baffour left the national team camp during the Africa Cup of Nations on home soil following similar backlash from media and fans.

The 26-year old is currently on loan to UAE outfit Al Ain from English Premier League side Sunderland.