While the biggest trophies have eluded him in his international career, Dede has nevertheless enjoyed highs with the Black Stars.

There have been the many deep runs at the Africa Cup of Nations, as well as the 2010 World Cup when Ghana came within a crossbar's width of a place in the semi-finals.

He first played for the Black Stars in August 2007, coming off the bench in the final minute in a friendly against Senegal in London.

Some seven months later, he was starting for the four-time African champions in a Nations Cup semi-final and has been a steady feature since.

He has graced the Nations Cup finals eight times, a joint record, helping the West Africans finish second in 2010 and 2015.

Ayew has played in three Fifa World Cups and his tally of 120 caps is a record for the country.

His future with Ghana may currently be mired in uncertainty - as he has not officially announced his retirement - but Ayew's footballing career continues.

"I love what I'm doing, and I'm not ready to stop."