Black Stars captain, Andre Dede Ayew, has shared his approach to dealing with criticism from fans on social media.
Speaking to students during a lecture with the Sports Psychology class of 2024 at the University of Ghana, Ayew shared his personal strategy on how he tackles abuse from fans.
According to the player, one needs mental fortitude to maintain the highest levels of sportsmanship when results don’t favour them.
Although he struggled in the initial stages of his career, Ayew revealed that he has found a strategy for handling social media backlash.
“In the beginning, it was very difficult. It was something that was hard to swallow, but with time, you learn to understand,” remarked the former West Ham player.
The 34-year-old emphasised the importance of maintaining composure when facing negativity online.
“When they speak ill of you, try to step back and relax,” he advised, reflecting on his own experiences.
Ayew noted that the way he often deals with backlash is by “going into my room, having a shower, relaxing, and eating. Then everything else follows. I learned that with time everything fades away, whether bad or good news.”
Despite the challenges, Ayew said he has never allowed the sentiments of fans to sway him from his ambitions.
JNA/NOQ