The controversial top goalscorer of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations has now made a shock announcement regarding his playing future.
Emilio Nsue of Equatorial Guinea was one of the standout players at the AFCON in the Ivory Coast, with the centre-forward, who plies his trade in the Spanish third tier with Intercity, winning the tournament's Golden Boot after scoring five goals.
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His joy would not last long, though, as almost immediately after the showpiece wrapped up, he was suspended by the Equatorial Guinean football federation (FEGUIFUT) due to "several episodes serious indiscipline".
In response to his ban, Nsue announced his retirement from international football in February and, at the same time, accused FEGUIFUT of corruption, claiming that the players did not have some of the necessary equipment before their opening game of the tournament against Nigeria and that some of them had to use to their own money to pay for these.
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As such, it looked like there was no return to the fold imaginable for the player.
Now, however, the 34-year-old has confirmed that he has reversed his decision to retire, announcing his return to his national team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers next month following meetings with the country's vice-president.
"My brothers and sisters. To the people of Equatorial Guinea. After very difficult months for me and my teammates, as captain, I think it is time to express my feelings in a sincere, honest and sincere way, as I have always done since the beginning of my career with the Nzalang Nacional until today," Nsue wrote on Instagram.
"After everything that happened after the CAN [AFCON] and what was seen publicly, His Excellency Vice-President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue and I had a second private meeting, in which, as Big Brother, he promised many changes in the internal aspects of the national team that are already underway, and conveyed to me his desire to make improvements in many aspects of both the national team and the entire sport of Equatorial Guinea.
"As with any big change, it takes time, but the process has already begun and I, along with the rest of my teammates, have confidence and hope that the changes will continue and we will begin to see improvements in the needs of the National team.
"Personally, my desire was never to resign from the national team, and I never had any doubts about it; I love my national team, my country and my teammates."
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