The Ghana Football Association has firmly rejected recent comments made by Villarreal head coach Marcelino García Toral regarding midfielder Thomas Partey, insisting the Black Stars star remains a top-quality player.

GFA Communications Director Henry Asante Twum spoke out in defence of the 32-year-old following remarks from Marcelino suggesting Partey has been mentally affected and is struggling to meet expected standards since joining Villarreal.

Partey signed for the Spanish club last summer on a free transfer after leaving Arsenal, but his time at the Estadio de la Cerámica has been disrupted by injuries, limiting his rhythm and consistency.

Marcelino’s assessment of the situation, however, did not sit well with the player’s camp, who publicly expressed their disappointment and offered context around the challenges Partey has faced.

Addressing the issue, Asante Twum described the comments as overly harsh and stressed that the Ghana FA does not share the coach’s viewpoint.

“We believe in the quality of Partey, and one game does not define him as a player,” he said. “At the FA, we do not agree with the coach’s views on this matter. Partey remains a top player and we have strong belief in his abilities.”

He further emphasized that Partey continues to be an important figure for the Black Stars as preparations intensify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Ghana are set to regroup during the March international window for pre-World Cup friendly matches against Austria and Germany, with Partey expected to play a key leadership role within the squad.