Asamoah Gyan names World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro as the toughest defender he faced

Former Black Stars skipper, Asamoah Gyan has named Fabio Cannavaro, the decorated former captain of Italy and World Cup champion as the toughest defender he played against in his career.

Their encounter dates back to Ghana's inaugural appearance at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, where they faced a formidable Italian side.

Despite Ghana's valiant efforts, they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat, with Cannavaro proving to be a formidable obstacle for Gyan and his teammates.

Recalling the match, Gyan conceded, “Italy was the toughest opponent I faced as a Black Stars player. Cannavaro was too tough to go past. I believed in my capacity to outclass defenders but he was too good for me.

“No wonder he won the Ballon d’Or that year. His efforts were buttressed by Nesta,” Gyan shared on Onua TV.

While Gyan was unable to find the net against the eventual champions, he quickly found his rhythm in the following match against the Czech Republic, where he scored his maiden World Cup goal.

Ghana's progression to the round of 16 marked a significant milestone for the nation in their debut appearance on the global stage.

Gyan's journey in the World Cup continued to be impressive as he went on to score a total of six goals throughout his appearances in the tournament, establishing himself as the highest-scoring African player in its history.

Upon his retirement from professional football, Gyan left behind a remarkable legacy, having scored a total of 51 goals for Ghana, a record that remains unmatched to this day.