Ghana defender Baba Rahman has expressed a desire to return to the Black Stars but emphasized that it will only happen when he is fully fit and ready.
Rahman, 30, last played for the national team in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against the Central African Republic in Kumasi, where he faced some criticism from sections of the crowd.
However, he clarified that his absence from the Black Stars is not linked to that experience, but rather to his focus on recovering his fitness and health.
"It's a personal decision to take a break from international football to concentrate on my fitness because I've struggled with injuries," Rahman told BBC Sport Africa. "When I joined PAOK last year, I felt it was wise to step back from international duty and focus on getting my fitness back."
The left-back, who missed 999 days between 2017 and 2020 due to injuries, including two ACL tears, returned for the 2021 AFCON and the 2022 World Cup, but both campaigns ended in early exits.
"Fans are always asking me to come back, but right now, I need to prioritize my health," Rahman added. "Given my injury history, it’s been a tough few years. I just want to enjoy my club football again, and I know my international career will follow once I'm in top shape."
