Kwadwo Asamoah Explained

Kwadwo Asamoah
Fullname:Kwadwo Asamoah[1]
Birth Date:9 December 1988[2]
Birth Place:Kumasi, Ghana
Height:1.73 m[3]
Position:Left midfielder, left-back, central midfielder
Youthyears1:2005–2006
Youthclubs1:Kaaseman
Youthyears2:2006–2007
Youthclubs2:Liberty Professionals
Youthyears3:2008
Youthclubs3:Bellinzona
Youthyears4:2008
Youthclubs4:Torino
Years1:2008–2012
Clubs1:Udinese
Caps1:114
Goals1:8
Years2:2012–2018
Clubs2:Juventus
Caps2:116
Goals2:4
Years3:2018–2020
Clubs3:Inter Milan
Caps3:40
Goals3:0
Years4:2021
Clubs4:Cagliari
Caps4:9
Goals4:0
Totalcaps:279
Totalgoals:12
Nationalyears1:2009–2019
Nationalteam1:Ghana
Nationalcaps1:74
Nationalgoals1:4

Kwadwo Asamoah[4] (; born 9 December 1988)[5] is a Ghanaian former professional footballer.[6] Mainly a left midfielder or left-back, he was also occasionally deployed as a central midfielder.[7] [8]

Asamoah began his professional career with Italian club Udinese in 2008. His consistent performances earned him a transfer to Juventus in 2012, where, with his energy, versatility, and technical skills, he played a key role in helping the club to six consecutive Serie A titles between 2013 and 2018, among other titles, although his appearances at the club were limited by injuries during his later seasons. He joined Inter Milan in 2018, and Cagliari in 2021. At international level, Asamoah represented Ghana in four Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, and two FIFA World Cups.

Asamoah was awarded CAF Most Promising African Player in 2010 and named Ghana Player of the Year twice consecutively for 2012 and 2013.[9] [10] In 2013, Asamoah was ranked as the 27th best footballer in the world by Bloomberg.[11]

Club career

Early career

Asamoah was born in Accra, Ghana. He was scouted playing for a local based club, and was recommended to Alhaji Sly Tetteh, former CEO of Liberty Professionals. He joined Swiss club Bellinzona and was loaned to Italian side Torino in the winter of 2007–08.

Udinese

In June 2008, Asamoah was signed by Serie A club Udinese where he established himself and became a linch pin for both club and country. After some good performances at the 2010 World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations, he became a target of top clubs in Europe.[12]

Juventus

Asamoah and Udinese teammate Mauricio Isla both joined Juventus in July 2012 on co-ownership agreements, with Juventus paying €9 million for 50% of Asamoah's contract.[13] [14] He made his debut on 11 August 2012 against Napoli in the 2012 Supercoppa Italiana, scoring a goal as Juventus went on to win 4–2 after extra time.[15] Due to his impressive performance against Napoli, Antonio Conte, who was Juventus's coach at the time, decided to start him in the opening league match of the 2012–13 season, against Parma, on 25 August: he made an immediate impact, by setting up Stephan Lichtsteiner's goal in a 2–0 home win.[16] On 16 September, he scored his first goal with his new club in a 3–1 away league win over Genoa.[17] Juventus went on to win the Serie A title that season.[18] Asamoah was bought outright by Juventus in June 2013, signing a four-year deal with the club.[19]

On 9 March 2014, Asamoah scored a notable goal in a 1–0 home victory over Fiorentina,[20] as Juventus went on to defend the Serie A title and the Supercoppa Italiana that season.[21] [22]

During the 2014–15 season, Asamoah suffered a severe knee injury in the 10th league match of the season, on 1 November 2014, against Empoli, ruling him out for most of the season.[23] He was only first able to return to the team and resume training towards the end of the season, as Juventus won the Serie A title; he was therefore not able to appear in Juventus's Coppa Italia victory over Lazio in the final.[24] He returned to the pitch on 23 May 2015, in a 3–1 home win over Napoli.[25]

On 23 July 2016, Asamoah started for Juventus as captain on pitch in the opening game of 2016 International Champions Cup Australian version, as the club were drawn 1–1 with Melbourne Victory (Melbourne Victory won 4–3 on penalties), at Melbourne's Melbourne Cricket Ground.[26] [27] On 25 September 2016, it was confirmed that Asamoah would be sidelined for six weeks after limping off the pitch a day before away to Palermo with a sprained right knee; tests at the J-Medical centre revealed he suffered the complete tear of the medial meniscus ligament.[28]

In January 2018, it was reported that Asamoah chose not to renew his contract with Juventus, which was set to expire in June later that year.[29] He made his 150th appearance for Juventus in a 0–0 away draw against S.P.A.L. in Serie A, on 17 March.[30]

Inter Milan

In July 2018, Lega Serie A's registration confirmed that Asamoah had agreed to become an Inter player in May 2018; the signing was confirmed officially on 2 July.[31] He made his Inter debut on 19 August, in a 1–0 away defeat to Sassuolo, the first match of the 2018–19 Serie A season.[32]

Cagliari

On 3 February 2021, Asamoah signed a contract with Cagliari until 30 June 2021.[33] He made his debut in Sardinia on 28 February 2021, in the 2–0 victory in home against Crotone.[34] He became the most-capped African player in the Italian Serie A history, after making his 271st appearance in that match, surpassing his fellow Ghanaian compatriot Sulley Muntari who he was tied on 270 matches before the game.[35] [36] [37]

On 5 October 2022, free agent Asamoah officially announced his retirement from professional football.[38]

International career

On the international level, Asamoah was given his debut for the Ghana national team, Black Stars, in 2009, under French manager Claude Le Roy. He represented Ghana in the 2008 and 2010 editions of the Africa Cup of Nations, winning a bronze and a silver medal in the respective tournaments, and later also appeared in the 2012 and 2013 editions. He also played for Ghana at the FIFA World Cup in 2010 and 2014, helping them reach the quarter-finals of the former tournament.

On 5 October 2022, Kwadwo announced his retirement from professional football.[39] [40]

Style of play

A dynamic, hardworking, energetic, versatile and tactically intelligent player, Asamoah was primarily known for his pace, strength, stamina, and his outstanding technical characteristics, as well as his ability to read the game; although he primarily served as a ball-winner, these attributes allowed him to be effective both offensively and defensively, and enabled him to play in several positions along the pitch in defence or midfield. A predominantly left-footed player, with Juventus, Asamoah was usually deployed as a full back, wing-back, or wide-midfielder on the left flank, although he had previously also been used in the centre as a defensive, central, box-to-box, or offensive midfielder prior to joining the club, and even in the "mezzala" role. In addition to his physical and athletic attributes, he was a very agile footballer, with good vision and an ability to make attacking runs and get into good offensive positions from which he could create chances for teammates with throughballs or deliveries into the area from the wing; he was also a neat passer, a powerful striker of the ball from distance, and a skilful dribbler.[41] [42] [43] [44] [45] [46] Despite his ability, Asamoah was often sidelined through injury.[47]

Personal life

Asamoah is married to Abena, who holds an Executive MBA from the University of Ghana.[48] They have a son named Jason and a daughter named Jada. In 2020, he presented a cheque for $20,000 to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi to support the fight against COVID-19.[49]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[50] [51]
ClubSeasonLeagueCup1Europe2Other3Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Udinese2008–09Serie A2022060282
2009–1025120271
2010–1138210392
2011–123130090403
Total1148501501348
Juventus2012–13Serie A272107011363
2013–143421011010472
2014–1570003000100
2015–16110200000130
2016–17180303000240
2017–18190403000260
Total1164110270211565
Inter Milan2018–19Serie A3201090420
2019–20800030110
Total40010120530
Cagliari2020–21Serie A9090
Career total279121705402135213
1Includes Coppa Italia
2Includes UEFA Cup/Europa League and UEFA Champions League
3Includes Supercoppa Italiana

International

colspan="3"
Ghana
YearAppsGoals
200961
2010180
2011100
2012110
2013143
2014100
201810
201940
Total744

International goals

Scores and results list Ghana's goal tally first.

No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 7 June 2009 Stade du 26 Mars, Bamako, Mali align=center 1–0 align=center 2–0 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
2. 20 January 2013 Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth, South Africa align=center 2–0 align=center 2–2 2013 Africa Cup of Nations
3. 9 February 2013 Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth, South Africa align=center 1–2 align=center 1–3 2013 Africa Cup of Nations
4. 6 September 2013 Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi, Ghana align=center 2–0 align=center 2–1 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Juventus[50] [52]

2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18

2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18

2012, 2013, 2015

Inter Milan

Ghana

Individual

2010[52]

2012

2014[56]

2013–14[57]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: List of Players: Ghana . FIFA . 17 . 14 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190904095016/https://tournament.fifadata.com/documents/FWC/2014/pdf/FWC_2014_SQUADLISTS.PDF . 4 September 2019.
  2. Web site: Player: Kwadwo Asamoah. Serie A. 30 June 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20210621160646/https://www.legaseriea.it/en/players/kwadwo-asamoah/SMHKW. 21 June 2021.
  3. Web site: Kwadwo Asamoah. Juventus F.C.. 19 September 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20180422050910/http://www.juventus.com/en/teams/first-team/midfielders/kwadwo-asamoah/index.php. 22 April 2018.
  4. Web site: Kwadwo Kojo Asamoah. Schedecalciatori.it. 26 March 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130922065647/http://schedecalciatori.it/calciatore/kwadwo-kojo-asamoah. 22 September 2013.
  5. Web site: Udinese player profile – Asamoah, Kwadwo. udinese.it. Udinese Calcio. 24 January 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120225090856/http://www.udinese.it/scheda_asamoah.php. 25 February 2012.
  6. Web site: Inter & Kwadwo Asamoah Have Terminated Contract, Gianluca Di Marzio Reports. OneFootball. 5 October 2020. 5 October 2020. en.
  7. Web site: Asamoah officially Inter's . 2 July 2018 . 15 April 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210415181607/http://images2.gazzanet.gazzettaobjects.it/wp-content/uploads/sites/45/2018/07/depositi-inter.jpg?v=20180702153700 . dead .
  8. Web site: 2019 AFCON: Kwadwo Asamoah reveals why he delayed his Ghana return. Ghana Web. 9 June 2016.
  9. News: Kwadwo Asamoah wins SWAG flagship award. ghanafa.org. Ghana Football Association (GFA). 30 June 2013. 21 September 2013. 4 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304113433/http://www.ghanafa.org/pages/news/201306/8612.php. dead.
  10. News: Asamoah wins Goal Ghana Player of the Year 2013 Award. goal.com. Goal.com. 25 December 2013. 26 December 2013.
  11. News: Messi and Ronaldo joined by Ribery in top three of new list of Europe's top 50 stars. 12 June 2013. 14 June 2013. Sky Sports.
  12. Web site: Asamoah: We want another go in 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200917053206/https://www.fifa.com/news/asamoah-want-another-2014-1562401 . dead . 17 September 2020 . fifa.com . 15 September 2020 . 31 December 2011.
  13. News: Asamoah and Isla move to Juventu. juventus.com. 2 July 2012.
  14. News: Juventus confirm signing of Ghana's Kwadwo Asamoah. BBC Sport. 2 July 2012.
  15. News: La Supercoppa è della Juve 4–2 al Napoli dopo 120'. La Gazzetta dello Sport. it. Riccardo Pratesi. Ultime Notizie Sportive - la Gazzetta Dello Sport. 11 August 2012. 22 May 2015.
  16. Web site: Juve facile col Parma: 2–0. La Gazzetta dello Sport. it. Riccardo Pratesi. 25 August 2012. 23 January 2016.
  17. Web site: Juve, rimonta griffata Vucinic Il Genoa spreca e si arrende. La Gazzetta dello Sport. it. Riccardo Pratesi. 16 September 2012. 23 January 2016.
  18. News: Asamoah, an instant idol at Juventus. He is first player from Africa who win Serie A title. Stadium. juventus.com. 25 August 2012.
  19. Web site: Juventus buy Ghana's Kwadwo Asamoah outright from Udinese. BBC. 19 June 2013. 23 January 2016.
  20. Web site: Juventus-Fiorentina 1–0, perla di Asamoah. Traversa di Matos nel finale. La Gazzetta dello Sport. it. Mirko Graziano. 9 March 2014. 22 May 2015.
  21. Web site: Serie A Stats of the Season 2013–14. Football Italia. Susy Campanale. 23 January 2016.
  22. Web site: Supercoppa Italiana 2013. Juventus.com. it. 23 January 2016.
  23. Web site: Ogbonna e Asamoah ko, in Champions Juve con l'emergenza difesa. Tuttosport. it. 1 November 2014. 22 May 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150524114918/http://www.tuttosport.com/calcio/serie_a/juventus/2014/11/01-311103/Ogbonna+e+Asamoah+ko,+in+Champions+Juve+con+l%27emergenza+difesa. 24 May 2015.
  24. Web site: Tuttosport – Asamoah torna ad allenarsi in gruppo . Tuttosport . it . Antonio Guerra . 11 May 2015 . 22 May 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150524081259/http://www.tuttojuve.com/altre-notizie/tuttosport-asamoah-torna-ad-allenarsi-in-gruppo-235387 . 24 May 2015 .
  25. Web site: Juve-Napoli 3–1: Allegri onora la festa, Benitez dice quasi addio alla Champions. Juve-Napoli 3–1: Allegri honours the celebration, Benitez almost says goodbye to the Champions League. La Gazzetta dello Sport. it. Fabiana Della Valle. 23 May 2015. 24 May 2015.
  26. Web site: Melbourne Victory 1–1 Juventus (pens: 4–3): Bianconeri lose in ICC opener. Goal.com. 23 July 2016. 25 July 2016.
  27. Web site: Asamoah plays down Juventus defeat. Goal.com. 23 July 2016. 25 July 2016.
  28. Web site: Rugani and Asamoah out 45 days. Football Italia. 25 September 2016. 25 September 2016.
  29. Web site: Asamoah to leave Juventus. Football Italia. 25 January 2018. 27 January 2018.
  30. Web site: Spal-Juve: Talking points. Juventus.com. 18 March 2018. 18 March 2018.
  31. Web site: Kwadwo Asamoah signs for the Nerazzurri. Inter Milan. 2 July 2018. 2 July 2018. 31 March 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190331142711/https://www.inter.it/en/news/63227/kwadwo-asamoah-signs-for-the-nerazzurri. dead.
  32. Web site: Sassuolo 1–0 Inter Milan . BBC Sport . 19 August 2018 . 26 August 2018 .
  33. News: Benvenuto Asamoah!. 3 February 2021.
  34. Web site: Buona la prima per Semplici: Pavoletti e Joao Pedro affondano il Crotone. 1 March 2021. La Gazzetta dello Sport. it.
  35. Web site: Ghana's Kwadwo Asamoah becomes most capped African in Serie A history. 28 March 2021. Modern Ghana.
  36. Web site: 1 March 2021. Kwadwo Asamoah becomes the most-capped African player in Serie A history. 28 March 2021. GhanaWeb.
  37. Web site: Asamoah becomes the most-capped African player in Italy – Panafricanfootball. 28 March 2021.
  38. News: Ex-Juventus and Inter full back Asamoah retires. Football Italia. 5 October 2022. 5 October 2022.
  39. Web site: 2022-10-06 . How Black Stars players, GFA reacted to Kwadwo Asamoah's retirement . 2022-10-06 . GhanaWeb . en.
  40. News: Asamoah 'blessed and thankful' after retiring . en-GB . BBC Sport . 2022-10-06.
  41. News: Conosciamoli meglio: Kwadwo Asamoah. Canale Juve.it. it. 9 November 2014. dead. https://archive.today/20141110014939/http://www.canalejuve.it/news/conosciamoli-meglio-kwadwo-asamoah-51348. 10 November 2014.
  42. Web site: New beginnings for Massimiliano Allegri's Juventus. Yahoo Sports. 18 September 2014. 14 April 2016.
  43. News: Se Pozzo non avesse venduto nessuno…. Mondo Udinese. it. Monica Valendino. 31 December 2016. 2 January 2017.
  44. News: LA TATTICA DEL MERCATO: Juventus, Asamoah nel mirino. CalcioMercato.it. it. Michele Furlan. 5 June 2012. 3 January 2017.
  45. Web site: La Juventus ritrova vittoria e Asamoah, 'jolly' prezioso per Allegri. Yahoo Sports. it. Romeo Agresti. 25 October 2015. 3 January 2017.
  46. Web site: Asamoah, la mezz'ala trasformata ala . Tutto Juve . it . Spinazzola . Giovanni . 3 June 2013 . 30 January 2020 .
  47. Web site: Kwadwo Asamoah - Profile. Juventus F.C.. 3 January 2017.
  48. Web site: 2 July 2016. Kwadwo Asamoah's wife Abena graduates with MBA Entrepreneurial Management. 18 September 2020. GhanaSoccernet.
  49. News: Kwadwo Asamoah donates $20,000 to fight COVID-19. 18 September 2020. Graphic Online. en-gb.
  50. Web site: K. Asamoah. Soccerway. 2 April 2018.
  51. Web site: Kwadwo ASAMOAH. lequipe.fr. L'Équipe. fr. 15 April 2015.
  52. Web site: Kwadwo Asamoah. eurosport.fr. Eurosport. fr. 15 April 2015.
  53. Web site: 31 January 2010 . Ghana v Egypt - African Nations Cup . https://web.archive.org/web/20110629024733/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=287699 . 29 June 2011 . . ESPN.
  54. Web site: 9 February 2008 . 26th Africa Cup of Nations Ghana 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080214210815/http://www.cafonline50.com/?lng=1&module=resultats_national&rub=1&div=1&res=95849&ma=31&CmpetPere=0&cmpt=0 . 14 February 2008 . cafonline.com . CAF.
  55. Web site: Kwadwo Asamoah wins SWAG flagship award . 2023-01-19 . Modern Ghana . en.
  56. Web site: Glo-CAF awards 2014 winners. Ahram. 9 January 2015. 9 December 2015.
  57. Web site: Serie A, Gran Galà del Calcio Aic. Tutte le frasi e i premi. www.tuttosport.com. Tuttosport. it. 15 December 2014. 15 April 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150415215628/http://www.tuttosport.com/calcio/serie_a/2014/12/15-315387/Serie+A,+Gran+Gal%C3%A0+del+Calcio+Aic.+Tutte+le+frasi+e+i+premi. 15 April 2015.
  58. News: 31 January 2010 . CAF Releases top 11 of Orange CAN . cafonline.com . . live . 1 February 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100204125848/http://www.cafonline.com/competition/african-cup-of-nations-angola_2010/news/4614-caf-releases-top-11-of-orange-can.html . 4 February 2010.
  59. Web site: 12 February 2012 . Orange CAN 2012 Best XI . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120215061642/http://www.cafonline.com/competition/african-cup-of-nations_2012/news/13145-orange-can-2012-best-ix.html . 15 February 2012 . 12 February 2012 . cafonline.com.