‘Football authorities are the problem’ – Salisu tells GFA President Kurt Okraku

The 23-year-old has been courted by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) in recent years, but all attempts have so far failed.

The centre-back, however, met with GFA boss Kurt Okraku during the latter’s visit to the UK last week, with a discussions over his international future held.

“If you don’t play, am I the one who is going to play?” the GFA President jokingly said in a video that has gone viral on social media.

In response, Salisu said many players would like to play for Ghana but was quick to add that football authorities are the problem.

“The problem is, everything is done with you [referring to football authorities]. Without you, things don’t work. Hope you understand my point,” he said.

“As for players, they abound. But the issue [which makes players shy away from call-ups] lies with you [authorities].”

Salisu is currently one of the best young players in Europe, having made an impressive start to the season at Southampton.

Ghana's Mohammed Salisu tagged as a generational talent after flawless stats against Man City Pulse Ghana

He has taken the Premier League by storm after starring in matches against Manchester United, Arsenal and recently Manchester City.

However, all attempts to get him to play for the Black Stars have proven futile so far, with the center-back rejecting a call-up to feature at the 2021 AFCON.

Salisu also turned down an invitation to feature in Ghana’s two-legged Qatar 2022 World Cup playoff against Nigeria, although the Black Stars went on to qualify for the tournament on away goals.