Michael Essien Biography: Awards, Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents, Former Team, Height, Wife, Children

Michael Kojo Essien is a Ghanaian football legend. He is celebrated for his exceptional midfield prowess and powerful presence on the field.

Currently a member of Nordsjælland’s coaching staff, he previously graced the pitch for renowned clubs like Chelsea and Real Madrid.

Renowned for his versatility, Essien excelled as a defensive and attacking midfielder.

His powerful shots, pinpoint passing, and relentless work ethic made him a force to be reckoned with.

Beyond club success, he represented Ghana with distinction, earning over 50 caps and leaving an indelible mark on African football.

Profile

• Full Name: Michael Kojo Essien is a
• Stage Name: Michael Essien
• Born: December 3 1982
• Age: 41 years old
• Birthplace: Accra, Ghana
• Nationality: French, Ghanaian
• Occupation: Ghanaian former professional footballer  
• Height: 1.77 m
• Parent: Aba Gyandoh and James Essien
• Siblings: Alice Essien, Gladys Essien, Joyce Essien, and Diana Essien.
• Spouse: Akosua Puni Essien
• Children:Jermaine Kwame Sakyi Essien, Michelle Essien and Michael Essien jr.
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $35 million

Early Life And Education

Michael Kojo Essien is a former Ghanaian professional footballer who was born on December 3, 1982, in Accra, Ghana. He was the son of Aba Gyandoh and James Essien and had four siblings: Alice, Gladys, Joyce, and Diana.

Essien grew up in a challenging environment after his father left the family, which his mother raised single-handedly. He attended Gomoa Nyanyano DC Primary and Junior Secondary School before graduating from St. Augustine’s College in Cape Coast, Ghana.

Despite his burgeoning football talent, Essien remained in school until he completed his high school education. After graduating, Essien began his professional football career with Liberty Professionals. He is a Ghanaian who practised Christianity as his religion.

Career

Michael Essien‘s football journey began at a young age. In 2000, he landed his first professional gig with French club Bastia. Initially, he wasn’t a regular starter, filling various defensive roles.

But his talent was noticed, attracting interest from big names like PSG, Lyon, and Marseille. In 2003, Essien chose Lyon, the reigning champions. Here, he found his perfect position—the box-to-box midfielder.

He excelled at attacking and defending, supporting playmaker Juninho while backed by defensive midfielders. His impressive performance even earned him a nomination for the 2005 FIFA World Player of the Year award (22nd place).

This acclaim caught the eye of Chelsea, who broke the bank to sign him for a record £24.4 million in 2005. Essien continued to thrive, becoming a key player for Chelsea and extending his contract multiple times.

In 2012, he went on loan to Real Madrid, where he added goals to his repertoire. After his loan stint, he moved to AC Milan (2014) and Panathinaikos (2015).

Injuries hampered his time in Greece, but his talent was undeniable. He continued his adventure in Indonesia (Persib) and Azerbaijan (Sabail FK) before hanging up his boots in 2019.

Essien‘s international career was equally impressive. He started with the Ghana U-17 team and won a bronze medal at the 1999 World Championship.

He also played in the 2001 U-20 World Cup, where Ghana finished second. He represented the senior team for over 12 years; Essien officially retired from international football in 2018.

Michael Essien, after a distinguished playing career, has transitioned into coaching. He’s currently a part of the coaching staff at the Danish club Nordsjælland.

In 2020, Essien began training with Nordsjælland, gaining experience coaching their Superliga and various academy teams. This opportunity allowed him to delve deeper into youth development and coaching methodologies.

Nordsjælland’s partnership with Right to Dream Academy in Ghana further solidified Essien’s connection to his roots and gave him valuable insights into African football.

In September 2020, Essien officially joined Nordsjælland’s coaching team, taking on an assistant coaching role. He actively participates in training sessions, implementing exercises and sharing his expertise with the team.

Awards and Nominations

Michael Essien has won several significant awards throughout his career, including:

• 2006 BBC African Footballer of the Year   
• 2006 and 2007 Third Best African Footballer of the Year
• UEFA Champions League Winner (2012)   
• Premier League Titles (2006, 2010)   
• FA Cup Titles (2007, 2009, 2012)   
• League Cup Title (2007)   
• French League Titles (2004, 2005)
• French Super Cup Titles (2004, 2005)

Social Media

• Instagram handle: @michaelessien
• Facebook handle: Michael Essien
• Twitter handle: @MichaelEssien

Personal Life

The renowned former Ghanaian footballer, Michael Essien, is married to Akosua Puni Essien, a British-Ghanaian businesswoman. The couple married in a private ceremony in London.

Michael and Akosua have three children: Jermaine Kwame Sakyi Essien, Michelle Essien, and Michael Essien Jr. While their relationship has faced various challenges, including rumours of infidelity, the couple remains married and continues to live together.

Net Worth

Michael Essien, the renowned former Ghanaian footballer, has an estimated net worth of $35 million. This substantial wealth is primarily derived from his successful professional football career, which spanned notable tenures at top-tier clubs such as Chelsea, Real Madrid, and AC Milan.

In addition to his on-field accomplishments, Essien has capitalised on lucrative endorsement deals with prominent brands, including MTN, Samsung, and Pepsi.

At the peak of his career, while playing for Real Madrid, Essien earned an annual salary of approximately $6.6 million. His impressive net Worth is a testament to his exceptional talent, longevity, and business acumen in professional football.