Ghana football legend Asamoah Gyan has credited Brazilian great Ronaldo Nazário for teaching him one of the dribbling techniques that became a key part of his attacking game.
The former Black Stars captain disclosed that he learnt the skill during his Junior High School days, revealing how the two-time World Cup winner influenced his football development at an early age.
Gyan made the revelation on social media on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, while responding to a fan who mentioned him in a discussion about Brazil and Barcelona winger Raphinha’s attempts to master the move.
The fan suggested that Raphinha could learn the technique from Gyan, whose ability to beat defenders with the skill became a notable feature of his playing career.
Responding modestly, Gyan wrote: “I learnt this skill from R9 when I was in JSS (JHS).”
Ronaldo, widely known as R9, was renowned for his pace, close control and ability to manoeuvre past defenders, qualities that made him one of the most celebrated strikers of his generation.
Gyan’s revelation highlights the Brazilian’s influence on the Ghanaian striker, who built a reputation for his attacking instincts and technical ability during a career that took him across several leagues.
The two forwards also shared the same pitch at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, when Brazil defeated Ghana 3-0 in the round-of-16 encounter.
Despite facing his childhood inspiration on football’s biggest stage, Gyan went on to establish his own place in the history of African football.
He remains Ghana’s all-time leading scorer with 51 goals and holds the record for the most goals scored by an African player at the FIFA World Cup, with six.
His latest revelation offers a glimpse into the influences behind his development and the footballing inspiration he drew from one of the game’s most iconic strikers.
