Ghana’s all-time leading goalscorer, Asamoah Gyan has been appointed a brand ambassador for the MILO U-13 Champions League, joining former Black Stars captains Stephen Appiah and André Ayew.

The inclusion of Gyan as a new influencer for the MILO brand was announced at the official launch of the competition in Accra last Friday, reinforcing the tournament’s strong connection to national football icons.

Nestlé Ghana’s Category Manager for Beverages and Dairy, Myron Otoo, who made the announcement, said Gyan was carefully selected for his immense contribution to Ghanaian football and his lasting impact on younger generations.

“But now, the surprise of the day — our very own international football legend, Asamoah Gyan, popularly known as ‘Baby Jet’, has officially joined the MILO family as an influencer.

“We have legends in our midst who are making an impact on a grand scale. Please, shall we be upstanding to celebrate greatness?

“Thank you for all you have done for Mother Ghana and for what you continue to do for the youth and future generations,” Mr Otoo said.

Inspiring future stars

Accepting his new role, Gyan expressed strong support for grassroots football development, highlighting its importance as the foundation for nurturing future talent.

Drawing from personal experience, he revealed that his passion for youth football dates back to his playing days, when he organised initiatives such as the Baby Jet Under-16 tournament. 

He noted that some players who passed through these grassroots platforms have gone on to represent Ghana at the national level, underscoring the long-term impact of investing in youth development.

Gyan praised the MILO brand for its long-standing contribution to sports development in Ghana, describing it as a trusted household name that has consistently supported school competitions and grassroots football over the years. He acknowledged the brand’s role in shaping young talents, including during his own early football journey.

He explained that his decision to join the MILO initiative was immediate and enthusiastic, driven by his belief that supporting grassroots football is essential for building the future of the sport. 

According to him, developing young players at the foundational level is key to producing the next generation of stars.

He also emphasized the importance of inspiring young athletes, expressing hope that initiatives like the MILO U-13 Champions League will help uncover future legends such as Stephen Appiah and Sulley Muntari.

He concluded by expressing excitement about joining the MILO family, reaffirming his commitment to supporting and motivating young footballers across the country.

Career

Asamoah Gyan is the all-time leading goalscorer of the Ghana national team, with 51 goals. He represented Ghana at the 2006, 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups, and with six goals, he remains the top African scorer in World Cup history.

He also featured for Ghana at the 2004 Summer Olympics and in seven Africa Cup of Nations tournaments (2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019), helping the team secure third place in 2008 and runner-up finishes in 2010 and 2015.

At club level, he enjoyed a successful career across Europe and Asia, playing for teams including Udinese, Rennes, Sunderland, Al Ain, Shanghai SIPG, Kayserispor and NorthEast United.

Gyan announced his retirement from professional football on June 20, 2023, bringing to a close an illustrious career spanning two decades.