'Everyone wanted money' – Gyan speaks on life as 8th highest paid player

Former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan has disclosed that he was extremely generous to people when he was ranked the eighth-highest-paid footballer in the world in 2016.

According to him, many people, including friends and family members, approached him for financial support due to his status at the time.

However, he stated that in his quest to be generous, some individuals exploited him financially by making constant demands, a situation he disliked.

AFCON is like the World Cup to me – Asamoah Gyan

“It’s just crazy. Everybody expects something from you; family, friends, wherever you go. Even people who don’t know you. As soon as you show up, everybody wants you to give money.

“I give most of the time, but sometimes people try to take advantage of it. Then I say, ‘You’re trying to take advantage of me.’ Maybe the person takes it and then comes back again. No way. When I see that, I get a bit upset,” he said during the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast.

Gyan joined Sunderland from French club Rennes in August 2010 for £13 million following his impressive performance at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The Ghanaian forward later left the Black Cats to join United Arab Emirates side Al Ain in a lucrative deal after just two seasons, where he was ranked the eighth-highest-paid player in the world.

Watch the remarks below:

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Asamoah Gyan responds to how it felt to be one of the richest men in the world

Watch full interview here: https://t.co/sSiKz50Njy#ghanaweb#ghanawebtv pic.twitter.com/6Hqtcpqgu3

— GhanaWeb (@TheGhanaWeb) January 15, 2026