Ghana midfielder Daniel-Kofi Kyereh has revealed that he seriously considered retiring from football during his lengthy recovery from injury, describing the period as one of the darkest and most challenging chapters of his career.

The 30-year-old spent close to three years battling to return to the pitch after suffering a devastating anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in 2022 — a setback that not only halted his momentum but also tested his mental strength.

Speaking in an interview with Joy Sports, Kyereh admitted that thoughts of retirement surfaced during the most difficult moments of his rehabilitation.

“To be honest, I was fighting against those thoughts,” Kyereh said.

“The truth is they came up here and there, especially during the difficult times and the setbacks.”

His recovery journey proved far from straightforward. After undergoing surgery in February 2023 to repair the ligament damage, Kyereh appeared to be making progress — only to suffer another setback just as he neared a return, forcing him to undergo a second operation.

That fresh blow extended his spell on the sidelines and made the road back even more frustrating.

“I was going two steps forward and one step back,” he explained.

“There were definitely moments when retirement crossed my mind, but I never allowed those thoughts to stay for long. I kept believing that I would come back.”

That resilience has now paid off.

After gradually returning to partial team training in late 2025 and resuming full training in January 2026, Kyereh is finally back in competitive action. He has already made five appearances for SC Freiburg II since regaining full fitness in April, marking a major milestone in his comeback story.

Kyereh’s return is also welcome news for the Ghana national football team, with the midfielder now pushing to regain his place in the Black Stars squad ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Having fought through pain, setbacks, and moments of doubt, Kyereh’s story is now becoming one of determination — proof that even the toughest battles can lead to a second chance.