How many caps did Michael Essien win for Ghana?

Michael Essien won 59 caps for Ghana, scoring 9 goals.

Which clubs did Michael Essien play for?

SC Bastia (2000–2003), Olympique Lyonnais (2003–2005), Chelsea (2005–2014), Real Madrid Club de Fútbol (2012–2013), AC Milan (2014–2015), Panathinaikos (2015–2016), Persib Bandung (2017–2018), Səbail FK (2019–2020).

Where does Michael Essien rank among Ghana's greatest footballers?

The 33 Legends almanac ranks Michael Essien #1 of Ghana's 33 greatest players of all time.

‹ Ghana's 33

No verified career portrait available.

01 / Ghana · 2002–2014

Michael Essien

CDM anchorleader

Caps · Ghana

Goals · Ghana

Life

1982

Clubs

SC Bastia, Olympique Lyonnais, Chelsea

Editorial rank of 33 for Ghana

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The people's rank, live from duel votes

Nine minutes into the semi-final second leg at Stamford Bridge on 6 May 2009, a Barcelona clearance dropped to Essien 25 yards out and he volleyed it in off the underside of the bar. Career record: 59 caps and 9 goals for Ghana; club career at SC Bastia, Olympique Lyonnais, Chelsea.

Career sources

Career dates · checked 4 October 2026
Identity and career · Wikidata Q969520

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Career record

2000–2003	SC Bastia
2003–2005	Olympique Lyonnais
2005–2014	Chelsea
2012–2013	Real Madrid Club de Fútbol
2014–2015	AC Milan
2015–2016	Panathinaikos
2017–2018	Persib Bandung
2019–2020	Səbail FK
Ghana	59 caps, 9 goals

Sources

Senior international years checked 4 October 2026
Caps · Ghana checked 4 October 2026
Goals · Ghana checked 4 October 2026

Shared the era

Ghana legends whose careers overlapped Essien's

The world's great CDMs

Around Essien in the almanac

One rank below: Abedi Pele at #2.

Ghana's editorial top five: Michael Essien · Abedi Pele · Samuel Kuffour · Asamoah Gyan · Stephen Appiah.

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