Former Ghana midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu believes that players deserve to be compensated for their efforts while representing the Black Stars.
According to the 31-year-old, who retired from international football in 2021, it is a privilege to play for the national team, but players must be paid.
He explained at ETV’s eSports Summit that when players demand what is rightfully theirs, it is not because they are not patriotic or passionate.
“It troubles us a lot when we don’t get what is due us because we have the passion to represent the nation,” Agyemang-Badu said, as quoted by Ghanaweb.
“It’s always a privilege to play for Ghana because where I’m coming from, the Nation has really helped me to get some opportunities in life.”
“It is not like we don’t have passion and we’re always money conscious. I’ve had several scars on my body playing for the national side than for my club. Mostly I treat the injuries myself with no insurance cover. I don’t know if we have it and I never benefited from it.”
Agyemang-Badu revealed that he treated himself several times after injuring himself while on national team duty.
This, according to the midfielder, is one of many reasons why players demand bonuses after national team assignments.
“The last injury I had from the African Cup I went back to Udinese and had it treated. So, if I represent my country despite being a privilege, getting injuries, and going back to my club for treatment, I don’t think we deserve to be told not to go for the monies we think it’s good for us. That is troublesome,” he added.
Agyemang-Badu currently plays for Ghana Premier League side Accra Great Olympics.
