Ghana midfielder Daniel-Kofi Kyereh has admitted he seriously considered retiring from football during his long spell on the sidelines following a devastating injury.
The 30-year-old has endured nearly three years away from full competitive action after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in 2022, a setback that has defined a difficult chapter in his career.
Speaking to Joy Sports, Kyereh opened up on the mental toll of the rehabilitation process, revealing that thoughts of walking away from the game occasionally crossed his mind.
“To be honest, I was fighting against those thoughts (of retirement). The truth is that they came up here and there. Especially in these difficult times of setbacks.”
Kyereh first underwent surgery in February 2023 to repair the ligament damage, but his recovery was complicated. Just as he neared a return a year later, he suffered another major setback that required an additional surgical procedure.
The recurring injuries meant prolonged time away from the pitch, with the midfielder only returning to partial team training in late 2025 before finally rejoining full training in January 2026.
“I was going two steps ahead and one back. Yeah, there were definitely times when it came to my mind, but to be honest, I was not allowing such thoughts beyond a few seconds.”
Since regaining full fitness in April 2026, Kyereh has gradually worked his way back, making five appearances for Freiburg’s reserve team as he continues his return to top-level football.
