Black Stars captain Andre Dede Ayew has shared his approach to dealing with criticism from fans and the media. He discussed this topic while serving as a guest lecturer on sports psychology at the University of Ghana.

Ayew, who has been under intense scrutiny as an elite athlete for over a decade, also spoke about his commitment to the Black Stars. He explained how he manages the pressure and criticism that come with being in the spotlight.

“It’s not easy to hear certain remarks and insults, but the most important thing is trying to understand why they are being made and where they are coming from,” Ayew said. “You have to analyze yourself; sometimes it’s unfair, sometimes it doesn’t make sense, and sometimes they have a point.”

He continued, “As a public figure, you have to swallow things that you know aren’t true, but that’s where your mental toughness comes in. You need to be able to endure pain to smile later. That’s my virtue.”

At the time of writing, Dede Ayew is a free agent after completing the 2023-2024 season with French league side Le Havre.