FORTALEZA, BRAZIL - JUNE 21: Kevin-Prince Boateng of Ghana gestures during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group G match between Germany and Ghana at Castelao on June 21, 2014 in Fortaleza, Brazil. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images)

I said NO to Ghana in 2006 because I was thinking of my career with Germany- Kevin-Prince Boateng

Story By BBC On December 1, 2025, 7:11 PM

Former AC Milan midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng has reiterated his decision to represent Ghana on the international football circuit than the country of his birth-Germany had a business feel to it.

Boateng, who reportedly made a comment years ago that he chose to play for Ghana and not Germany with his head and not his heart, said in an interview with Bona Fide Sports that he felt connected more to his German roots than his Ghanaian roots.

The former FC Barcelona player was asked, “Why do you feel more connected to your Ghanaian heritage rather than German?” with Boateng responding that “I didn’t” and added,

“I grew up as a German in my house…My brain was just not German in following rules. That’s my arrogance but that was my talent as well.”

Kevin Prince Boateng (Photo by Paul Gilham – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

“Ghana offered me already to play at the 2006 World Cup and I said no because I still saw my chance in Germany because you think about your career; it’s bigger to play for Germany.”

Kevin Prince Boateng (2-L) of Ghana during a training session at the Centro de Capacitacao Fisica dos Bombeiros in Brasilia, Brazil, 25 June 2014. Ghana faces Portugal for a FIFA World Cup 2014 group G preliminary round match at the Estadio National in Brasilia, Brazil, on 26 June 2014 (Photo by Marius Becker/picture alliance via Getty Images)

“Then 2010, I was like nah it’s not bigger, I’m big already. Everybody knows my name, it doesn’t matter what nationality I play.”

Kevin-Prince Boateng of Hertha BSC (Photo by Boris Streubel/Getty Images)

Boateng played for Ghana at the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups with contrasting fortunes as he starred in the 2010 edition but flamed out at the 2014 edition after falling out with team officials.