Legendary Ghana Captain Narrates How Juventus Nearly Ended His Olympic Dreams

• Stephen Appiah has opened up on how Juventus tried to shut his dreams of playing for Ghana at the 2004 Olympic Games
• Appiah joined Juventus from Parma in 2003 and went on to play 30 games in his first season with the Bianconerri
• His game time was reduced to only 18 appearances after returning from the Olympics and was sold to Turkish outfit Fenerbahce

Ex-Ghana skipper Stephen Appiah has revealed how he nearly missed out on the 2004 Olympic Games due to club ties.

Appiah was an integral member of the Juventus team back in 2004 but with the opportunity to represent his nation at the Olympic Games the then 22-year-old was at crossroads.

He eventually ended up choosing his country ahead of his club, which would prove detrimental to his stint with the Bianconerri.

Taking a trip down memory lane, Appiah recollects how the entire incident transpired.

“I was told the club had received a letter from Ghana. Even before I went in, I knew that it was about the Olympic Games,” the 41-year-old Appiah told Asaase Radio as quoted by Talk Sports Ghana.

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“I went into the Sporting Director’s office only to see three men; Luciano Moggi – Juventus Director of Football, Geraldo, the club’s lawyer, and the legendary Berttegga himself."

“Without even asking whether I wanted to go or not, they explained at length how much they needed me. They suggested I stayed and not represent my country at the Olympics. I asked for time to think about it and decide. They gave me three days.”

Appiah continued: “I had previously spoken to some teammates who had been to the Olympics and what they described was unmissable. Beyond the immeasurable sense of pride of representing your country at the multi-sport event, it was a festival."

“The description of the Games village, getting to see other world-class athletes up close and in action was indescribable, they said. This was better than the World Cup. So I had to be there."

“And on a personal note, I had played at the Fifa U17 World Cup once, twice at the U20 but never at the Olympics. This was my chance. And as a matter of principle, only injuries or suspensions could stop me from representing my country. That’s non-negotiable.”

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Appiah further revealed despite his stance, he was called once again for another meeting with Juventus’ Moggi. Appiah stood his ground and maintained he had to go to Athens with Ghana.

“I know they valued me. I was one of the more talented midfielders there. But this is Juventus where there are always options,” added Appiah.

Appiah opens a can of worms at Juventus

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that legendary Ghanaian footballer Stephen Appiah has fingered a former Juventus Director as one of the most corrupt and 'powerful' people in football and 'did worse than Sepp Blatter' by influencing games of rivals.

According to Appiah, Luciano Moggi, the former Director of Football at Juventus had a huge role in how results went in the games of AC Milan and Inter Milan, who were then their main rivals.

The former Black Stars captain was speaking to EMY Africa Magazine when he made the revelation about Moggi and how Juventus got caught in the Calciopoli scandal.