Sports News of Thursday, 19 February 2026
Source: ghanasoccernet.com
Andre Dede Ayew has made it clear that retirement is far from his mind, with the 36-year-old Ghanaian forward insisting that his focus remains firmly on training, match fitness, and performing at the highest level.
Speaking to ESPN after his move to Dutch Eredivisie side NAC Breda, Ayew emphasized that his body feels good and that he is determined to keep pushing.
"I need to continue working. The matches will get me fitter. "They will make me feel better, and that's all I'm thinking about," Ayew said.
The veteran attacker, whose career has spanned France's Ligue 1, the English Premier League, and the Turkish Süper Lig, dismissed speculation about retirement, stating that he has never seriously considered stepping away.
"I never thought about it because my body is good. I feel good," he added.
Ayew also addressed a six-month spell without competitive football, clarifying that the absence was due to personal reasons rather than a lack of opportunities.
"I never thought about stopping because the six months I didn't play was not football reasons. It was personal reasons that I had to deal with," he explained.
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, Ayew's performances at NAC Breda will be crucial in determining whether he earns a place in Ghana's squad. For now, his message is simple: work continues.