My performance has kept me in Black Stars and not my father's legacy - Jordan Ayew
Black Stars captain Jordan Ayew has firmly rejected suggestions that his long-standing place in Ghana's national team is due to his famous family name, insisting that his longevity with the team has been earned through consistent performances rather than favouritism.
The 34-year-old forward, who made his senior debut for Ghana in September 2010, has remained a key figure for the four-time African champions for more than a decade.
Despite his contributions to the national team, Ayew has frequently been the subject of criticism from sections of the Ghanaian football public, with some questioning his continued presence in the squad.
Speaking in an interview with the Ghana Football Association Media team, Ayew addressed claims that his selection has been influenced by his father, Ghana football legend Abedi Pele, and his footballing family background.
"When people say that [my father is the reason I'm there], it makes me laugh because for me it's even harder," Ayew said.
"You always have that perception that it's because of his father, because of his uncle...At the end of the day, you can say all that, but football doesn't lie on the grass."
The former Leicester City attacker explained that the pressure of carrying a famous surname often creates additional scrutiny, making it even more important to consistently prove his worth on the pitch.
Ayew acknowledged that criticism is an unavoidable part of professional football but stressed the importance of maintaining confidence and mental strength during difficult periods.
"We are allowed to criticise, but at the end of the day you need to keep your head straight and do what you do best and have self belief beacuse it's not easy.
"You just need to know how to deal with those moments and to have thick skin because football is not easy," he added.
Ayew's comments come as Ghana intensifies preparations for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in the United States, where the Black Stars will be making their fifth appearance at football's biggest tournament.
Drawn in Group L, Ghana will face challenging opposition in the form of Panama, England and Croatia as they seek to advance beyond the group stage.
The Black Stars have already arrived in the United States to continue their preparations ahead of the tournament. Ghana will begin their World Cup campaign against Panama on June 17 at BMO Field before taking on England at Gillette Stadium on June 23.
The team will conclude their group-stage fixtures against Croatia on June 27, with hopes of securing a place in the knockout rounds.
Before the tournament gets underway, Ghana will play a final warm-up match against Jamaica on June 10 as coach and players fine-tune preparations for the global showpiece.
As captain and one of the most experienced members of the squad, Ayew is expected to play a pivotal role both on and off the pitch as Ghana aims to make a significant impact at the World Cup.