Daniel Opare once played for Real Madrid
Ghanaian international, Daniel Opare has finally closed the chapter on a career that once promised the world greatness.
At 35, the Ghanaian full-back, whose journey took him from Obuasi to Madrid, Porto, Augsburg and beyond, announced his retirement with a moving message on Instagram.
“OFFICIALLY RETIRED!! A great day to celebrate, i couldn’t be more happier for what the LORD has done for me throughout these years…” he wrote, before thanking his family, friends, fans and the clubs that shaped him.
It was a note that captured not just a farewell, but a life story defined by faith, resilience and survival.
For many Ghanaian fans, Opare will forever remain one of the brightest young talents the country ever produced.
Check out Kudus Mohammed’s rating in Tottenham’s 5-3 defeat against PSG
His burst onto the scene at Ashanti Gold and the national youth teams was electric, raw pace, explosive energy, and a maturity on the ball that made him stand out.
By 17, he was already attracting interest from European giants, and in 2007, he secured a move to CS Sfaxien, becoming one of the most talked-about young African defenders at the time.
From Tunisia, Opare earned a dream transfer to Real Madrid, moving through the Real Madrid C side and Castilla between 2008 and 2010.
What followed was a career that stretched across Europe: Standard Liège, the club where he played his most consistent football, then FC Porto, loan spells at Beşiktaş and Lens, a key stint in Germany with FC Augsburg, and later years with Royal Antwerp, Zulte Waregem, and RFC Seraing in Belgium.
In total, he made more than 250 club appearances across top European competitions, including the Bundesliga, Jupiler Pro League, Süper Lig and the Europa League.
It was a journey full of movement, adaptation and survival, even if it never delivered the superstar heights many predicted during his youth.
It was in Germany at Augsburg that Opare found a stretch of stability, winning admirers for his work rate and tactical flexibility, before injuries once again slowed his rhythm.
Yet no matter the setbacks, he never stopped fighting. His retirement message reflected that unwavering commitment:
“At times when injuries become too much unfortunately and i thought about giving up, y’all kept encouraging and believing in me that motivated me to play with my heart and i never cheated any club out of my commitment, dedication and loyalty. I wore every jersey with pride, respect and no regrets.”
For the Black Stars, he will be remembered most for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, where he delivered some of his finest performances in a Ghana shirt, quick, fearless and relentless down the right flank.
His peak may have been brief, but it was bright enough to leave an imprint on Ghanaian football fans who saw in him a modern full-back built for Europe’s big stages.
Now, as Daniel Opare steps away from the game, he does so with a sense of peace.
His message, steeped in gratitude, humility and faith, reveals a man who understands that his journey, though imperfect, was meaningful.
FKA/JE
