My Skin Colour Was Questioned During 2002 World Cup - Gerald Asamoah

Former German international, Gerald Asamoah has revealed that many could not believe playing for the German national team due to his skin colour during the 2002 World Cup hosted in Japan-Korea.

Asamoah, who was born in Mampong in the Ashanti Region of Ghana moved to Germany at the age of 12.

He went on to become the first black man to play for the German national football team and he represented them in the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea-Japan.

According to him, he was asked if he is player whiles sitting on the bench for the German during the tournament by a photographer.

“My first World Cup in Korea-Japan I was sitting on the bench and a photographer said what are you doing here, "he told DW TV.

“I said I am a player” You are a German, that is crazy!

“People didn’t believe it; how can a black guy play for Germany? People didn’t believe it.

“That was one of the best decisions have ever made. Now you can see how many blacks play for the German national team.

“Black people in Germany said “Thank you for doing this and now I am accepted at my workplace”

"I never knew it was so hard. But after I took this decision, blacks people supported me,” he added.

Asamoah made his debut for Germany in 2001 and scored against Slovakia.

He also played in the 2006 World Cup.