There are few European leagues that have been as influential in helping carve out the careers of African players than La Liga. Many of the biggest nations on the continent have been represented in Spain, but few have achieved as much success as Ghana.
To date, 31 Ghanaian players have played their trade in the Spanish top-flight. Currently, five Ghanaians are playing in La Liga. Some of the top stars have been able to play for the leading sides in the online sports betting in Spain markets, but who have been among the most successful Ghanaian exports to La Liga?
Thomas Partey
There have been few more successful Ghanaian players in European football than Thomas Partey throughout his career. The 29-year-old moved to Spain at youth level, as he came through the ranks at Leganes, before joining Atletico Madrid in 2012. After a year in the youth team with the Spanish giants, he was sent on loan to Mallorca and then Almeria, before finally getting his chance in the first team at the start of the 2015-16 season.
His first start for Atletico came in November 2015, before he scored his first goal for the Spanish giants just three months later. In his first full season with Atletico, he played in the Champions League final, and was later awarded with a new long-term deal. Partey impressed again in the following season, as he played a key part in the team’s journey to winning the Europa League. Partey would ultimately call time on his career in Spain in October 2020, as he became the most expensive Ghanaian player in history when he signed with Arsenal in a deal worth £45 million.
Inaki Williams
One of the most successful Ghanaians to play in La Liga is Inaki Williams. Despite being born in Spain, Williams has played eight times for the Ghana national team, and was named in the traveling squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The forward came through the youth ranks at Pamplona, before joining Athletic Bilbao in 2012. After a short stint away from the club, he returned to Bilbao in 2014. His big break in the first-team came through good fortune, as he was able to replace Aritz Aduriz, who picked up an injury.
Williams netted his first goal for Bilbao in a Europa League draw against Torino, becoming the first player of color to ever score for the Spanish club. His first goal in La Liga was scored against Elche, before he later scored a consolation against Barcelona. Despite huge interest in the forward from Manchester City and Liverpool, Williams opted to renew his contract in 2016. Since then, he has become a cult hero at the club. His desire to play for the club was evident in January 2023, as he didn’t miss a single top-flight match in Spain for over six years.
Michael Essien
There are few more gifted Ghanaian players in history than Michael Essien, and due to that, he has played for some of the biggest teams in the world. After impressing in Ligue 1 with Bastia and Lyon, he signed a huge deal with Chelsea in 2005, and later won the Premier League titles in back-to-back seasons. He would also win two further titles with the Blues, before his playing time at the club was reduced.
The Blues agreed to allow Essien a dream opportunity in 2012, as he was loaned out to Spanish giants Real Madrid, becoming the first Ghanaian to ever play for Los Blancos. During his loan spell, Essien played 35 times for Real, scoring two goals. However, he was unable to help the Spanish giants achieve their goal, as they ended the campaign without a trophy. After that stint, Essien moved on to AC Milan for a season, before ending his career with spells at Panathinaikos, Persib Bandung, and Sabail. In total, Essien made 59 caps for Ghana throughout his career, and represented the nation at the 2006 and 2014 World Cups.
Conclusion
There is certainly a bright future ahead of young Ghana stars that will be chasing their dreams of playing in Europe. Stars such as Essien and Partey have ensured that there will be chances given to Ghanaian talent at the biggest clubs, and that is something that we are still seeing to this day.
There are talented players playing in Spain at present, including Joseph Aidoo, Iddrisu Baba, and Abdul Mumin. Their success will continue to ensure that more players from the nation will be given their chance to shine.
Categories: News
Source: thpttranhungdao.edu.vn/en/
