The queries and question marks surrounding Asamoah Gyan's continued presence in UAE football resurfaced in the build-up to the Brazil World Cup. In truth, they have been there since his 2011 move, initially on loan, to Al Ain from England's Sunderland, always bubbling away, forever suspicious of his motives and motivation.
How could a player, in his prime, remain in a league that, to most observers outside the Emirates, is well below his level of talent?
Ruud van Nistelrooy, Thierry Henry, Gary Lineker, all expert goal gatherers during their careers, still wonder aloud why Gyan plies his trade in the Gulf when he could be regularly finding the net in a stronger European league.
His numbers certainly are impressive: more than 100 goals in three seasons with Al Ain. Eighty-two in 66 top-flight matches. Three Golden Boot awards. Two UAE championship medals. One President's Cup crown. In 2012/13, a UAE-record 31 league goals. This year, the top scorer in the Asian Champions League, proving his production is not confined to the Arabian Gulf League.
He is the standout in the Arabian Gulf, too. Then, at the World Cup last month, two goals and an assist in three group games for Ghana. With those, the title of top-scoring African, with six goals, in tournament history.
So why, when his stock has arguably never been higher, has Gyan committed his future to Al Ain until 2018?
The fallout from Brazil probably helps provide an answer. Ghana’s campaign ended in ignominy; not because they failed to emerge from a group containing Germany, the eventual champions, but because the country’s president had to charter a plane mid-tournament containing US$3 million (Dh11m) in player bonuses.
Two members of the squad were then sent home for indiscipline.
As captain, Gyan bore the brunt more than most, issuing a public apology upon the team’s return to Accra.
He is viewed as a figurehead in his country, constantly celebrated but continually scrutinised.
The personal tragedy he experienced in the break following the World Cup, in which two people are believed to have drowned, only intensified the spotlight.
Perhaps Al Ain allows some sort of sanctuary. Gyan is undoubtedly well remunerated for his allegiance to the club – he is reportedly the league’s highest-paid player – and that element should not be underestimated, but maybe he places value in something more.
Here, surrounded by family members and friends, he is happy, comfortable and content.
That is priceless. He is clearly loved as well, evidenced by the Al Ain supporters who travelled this week, in numbers and in the early hours, to Dubai airport to welcome him home.
His contract extension should be greeted with the same enthusiasm, for it represents a considerable coup for the league.
In a summer of Valdivia and Xavi, Gyan's pledge offers something resolute, refreshing even.
At 28 there is plenty more in the tank. Whether he remains until the next World Cup is debatable but for now Gyan’s continued presence in the UAE’s still-emergent football league is a welcome shot in the arm.
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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