Accra, Ghana – Ghanaian football icon Andre Ayew has called on players to remain strong and not let online abuse affect their game. While he acknowledges that constructive criticism can be beneficial, he believes footballers must ignore baseless negativity on social media.

Speaking to BBC Sport Africa, the Le Havre forward emphasized the importance of focus and resilience in the face of criticism.

“It’s all about you, focusing on your job and what you have to do. Everything has a good and bad side, so sometimes try to understand where the criticism comes from—it can help you. We play football for the people, especially in our country and continent where we love the game so much. But, today, if somebody is frustrated, they can just write anything (online). That’s where we need to be strong and not pay attention to that sort of thing,” Ayew stated.

The Black Stars captain further advised players to prioritize feedback from coaches and analysts rather than engage with online negativity.

“You want to make the people happy, (but) when it’s just nonsense talk, push it away. With my experience, I just feel that you need to stay focused, listen to what the coaches, the analysts, and the staff have to tell you. That’s where the real information comes from,” he added.

With a career spanning nearly two decades, Ayew remains a key figure in football and continues to compete at the highest level with Le Havre in France’s Ligue 1.