He hardly grants interviews but deputy Black Stars captain, John Mensah took some time off his vacation to journey back into time when it all started on the pitch in an exclusive chat with the Ghana Football Association’s official newspaper, GFA News.

Q: It has been a long journey so far as far as your career is concerned. How did it all begin?
A: I started playing during my school days at OKESS. It was during my days at OKESS that I got the opportunity to be admitted into Goldfields Academy in Obuasi.

Q: How did you combine schooling at OKESS with playing at the academy?
A: I was at OKESS on scholarship which meant I was very active in the school football team in competitions such as the Milo Games. In fact, it was through the Milo Games that I got the chance to justify my inclusion in Goldfields Academy. I wanted to combine the two (schooling at OKESS and playing at the academy) but it was not possible so I decided to quit OKESS to concentrate on football.

Q: You never played for any local team in Ghana; how did you get the chance to play in Europe?
A: From Goldfields Academy, I joined another academy called MBC Academy which was managed by one of the guys at Goldfields Academy. Even though I once travelled with Goldfields Academy to Europe for an invitational tournament, none of the members of the squad got any offer. Upon our return home one of the guys in charge moved to Accra where he established MBC Academy. It was through MBC Academy that I moved to Europe so early. Interestingly, I wasn’t a member of the academy until some few weeks to an invitational tournament in Italy. The man in charge of the academy located me through a friend and drafted me into the team that left for Italy. I was a regular at the tournament but the most amazing thing was that I got the contract after our first match. After the tournament, I came back home with the team and I had just one week to return to Italy to begin a new life.

Q: What was your reaction when you realised that you had been signed on?
A: I was so excited I couldn’t believe it. I was particularly excited at the prospect of realising my dream. I had chosen football at the expense of education where I had scholarship to pursue higher education so I was happy that my decision had been a useful one.

Q: You left Ghana very young and very unexpectedly so it was difficult for you settling in a new environment with new culture and a big language barrier?
A: It was very, very difficult but I was determined to succeed so I was not bothered by the difficulties. I had abandoned education and chosen football as my career so I was very determined to justify my decision. Football was my hope after quitting school so I was ready for any obstacle. My dream was also to get to the highest level so that I could give back to my family and that spurred me on.

Q: How many of you from MBC Academy at the time made it to Europe and to the highest level?
A: Fortunately for me, I was the only person who was signed at that tournament and I have not heard of any of my colleagues playing in Europe or elsewhere. But a few I understand are playing in Ghana. I thank God for giving me such an opportunity. I joined MBC Academy at the last minute for the tournament and amazingly I was the only one who got a contract; and I have been able to make it this far. I once again thank God for this blessing. I also thank Rev. Joseph Bright Quarshie for his encouragement, support and prayer in my career. He is not only a pastor but also more than a father to me.

Q: How did it all begin in Bologna and Italy?
A: According to Steffano Melni, my coach at the time, who was in charge of the academy, AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund also expressed interest in me. He however, chose Bologna, thinking that would be in my best interest. He advised that Bologna, being a small club would have the time to develop me unlike the other two that have a big squad and a big youth team to choose from and might even loan me out to another small club. So I started at Bologna in 1999. From Bologna I was sent on loan to Switzerland where I joined Bellinzona. I wasn’t happy moving from 1st Division in Italy to a 2nd Division in Switzerland but I accepted the offer and moved. I impressed Bellinzona so after the initial six-month loan, they signed me on for one year. It was from Switzerland that I first got the opportunity to represent my nation at the 2001 World Under-20 Championship in Argentina. After the World Cup I moved back to Italy and joined Genoa. Then Chievo Verona came for me. I struggled a bit at Chievo because I was a second-choice right back deputising for one of the club’s most experienced players; so I had limited playing time. At the end of the season, I had played in a few matches but the coach wanted me to be active so he sent me on loan to Modena, a second division team. Again I wasn’t happy with the move and the worst thing was that I got injured just ten minutes in my first match for the club.

I was out for almost two months and the club’s position was not good at all when I returned with four matches to the end of the season. During the off-season I played in the World Cup qualifier when Ghana beat South Africa 3-0 in Kumasi, and Chievo Verona called me back from the loan at Modena. Unfortunately the coach at Chievo left and the new coach sent me on loan again to Cremonese. It was during my loan spell at Cremonese that I got the chance to move to Rennes in France.

Q: You have had several loan spells in your career. How frustrating was it moving from one club to the other, all in the lower divisions?

A: It was very frustrating. Very, very frustrating and I was very disturbed by that. I believed in myself and knew I could play in the top flight. But I was determined to prove my self so I welcomed every move as a challenge. Besides I relied on God and waited for His own good time. My pastor was also supportive and encouraged me. He was hopeful I would move to a bigger club. At the time that was the only choice so I dedicated myself to it and served very well wherever I played. Even though it was frustrating, in the end I learnt a lot from the many clubs I played for. Most of the lower division teams in Italy are very tactical and that was very helpful. It helped me to get lots of experience and I thank God for everything He has done for me.

Q: Were you surprised when Rennes came for you?
A: Yes, I was very, very surprised because it came on the last day of the winter transfer window. We were then in Egypt for the 2006 Cup of Nations when I signed the contract on the closing day of transfer registration. Everything was done in a hurry because I didn’t know about it. I didn’t know about Rennes and I had never heard about them but because I wasn’t so happy at Cremonese I welcomed the move wholeheartedly, especially when I realised that Rennes desperately needed my services. The agents, especially Fabian Pivotaeu did so well to ensure my registration with some few hours to the deadline. First match (away), but I was anxious to play for my new team so I tried to play, and I played very well. It continued from then and I have since sealed my position in the club.

Q: You adapted quickly in France; a country you had never played in and a club you didn’t know anything about and had no trial with.
A: It was through determination to justify the confidence the club had in me. And my experiences at the lower divisions in Switzerland and Italy really helped me. But the most important thing was my confidence after the World Cup. I was very confident after playing so well in the World Cup. The World Cup really helped boost my confidence very high. I was playing at a different level when I returned to my club after the World Cup. The feeling was that after playing with all the big names at the World Cup, what should I fear again. So that put absolute confidence in me and helped me improve greatly as a player.

Q: How do the fans appreciate you at Rennes?
A: In fact, the fans are very lovely people and I always want to put in extra effort for them. They even have a special song for me and when you hear your name in a song being sung by the fans, it makes you proud and happy. I will always appreciate the manner the entire Rennes fans appreciate me. First they signed me on without even trying me and that is a special reason I always want to repose that confidence. Just before Rennes signed me Niece had asked me to come on a trial but Rennes came on board and signed me right away. That clearly showed how much they respected me.

Q: You almost joined Reading in the English Premiership less than a year after joining Rennes. The reports were that the deal was a certainty but it fizzled out. What happened?
A: Yes, I almost joined Rennes. The deal was almost sealed but Rennes were not ready to release me so they had a word with me when everything seemed I would leave. At the same time, Reading were also very serious and even tabled a record bid and I also had the opportunity of speaking to their manager. But I was very careful and listened to Rennes who said I should play for them for just one more season, promising that they would allow me to leave this season. The club President had an extensive talk with me so I agreed to stay on. It wasn’t a difficult decision for me because I was happy at Rennes.

I had a gentleman agreement with the President that I would leave after a season but the new President who has taken over has reassured me and has even extended my original contract.

Q: You are still wanted by some teams in the Premiership. I also understand that you have some offers from some teams in France. Who are these teams and do you intend to make a move this season?
A: I am aware of interests from England. I also have offers from Lyon and Paris Saint Germaine but I am a Rennes player and everything depends on them. The new President and the coach have clearly indicated their confidence and faith in me by offering me a contract extension and I am also happy and ready to serve them. Thank God we have qualified for the UEFA Cup and that is an exciting prospect for the club which I want to be part of after helping them to achieve 4th place. But I have already said everything is in their (Rennes) hands. I have a contract with Rennes and I have to respect the contract and also respect the club.

Q: The English Premiership is now an attraction for many players including (I believe) you. Do you still harbour a dream to one day play in the Premiership?
A: The Premiership is an exciting league and I hope I will play there one day. Even if I don’t play for Reading I hope to play for one of the Premiership teams in the nearest future and I am confident by God’s grace it will happen.

Q: Were you disappointed that you missed a UEFA Champions League place on the last day of the season?
A: Yes, it was very, very disappointing the manner we lost out. We needed a win and we were confident we would win but unfortunately it didn’t happen and we had to settle on a UEFA Cup spot. We were however, consoled by the fact that a third place finish would not have guaranteed automatic entry in the Champions League. We would still need to play one more qualifier but for the UEFA Cup, we have an automatic entry. We promised the fans before the season kicked off that we would secure at least a UEFA Cup spot and we are happy we have been able to achieve that objective.

Q: How would you sum up the just-ended season? Would you describe it as the most successful in your club career?
A: I got injured during the season but it was generally a fantastic season. Helping my club to achieve a UEFA Cup spot was really exciting for me. It was also thrilling to see the national team perform so well after the World Cup. I am praying for an injury-free season to continue with my ambition of helping my club and the Black Stars win laurels, especially the Africa Cup of Nations.

Q: Talking about the Black Stars brings us to our next topic; your national team career. How did you first get into the national team?
A: I was first invited to don the national jersey by Coach Afranie who invited me to the Black Satellites team, preparing for the FIFA World Youth Championship in Argentina. He tried me in a friendly at Winneba where I partnered Patrick Villars and he was happy with my performance. In fact, it wasn’t easy breaking into the team. There were key players at the defence and I had to work hard to secure a place. We went for a friendly match in Germany and it was after the match in Germany that Coach Afranie told me he would send me to Argentina for the World Cup.

Q: You were not one of the players who rose through the Black Starlets to the Satellites. How were you welcomed in camp, especially being a new player in the midst of players who had been playing together for sometime now?
A: It was really exciting. Everybody welcomed me with open arms and it was as if I had been part of the team. Others were also new in the team so we all moved on well as mates. I remember I always shared jokes with the likes of George Owu, John Paintsil, Essien, Muntari, etc.

Q: Did you start your career as a central defender?
A: I started my career as a central defender but at Chievo I was a right back.

Q: How did you get into the senior national team, the Black Stars?
A: I was first invited into the team by Coach Osam Duodu after the Argentina 2001 Youth Championship. It was during a friendly match against Atletico Bilbao in Spain in 2002. I partnered Kofi Amponsah at the back and even though we lost 1-2, it was an exciting moment for me as I scored our consolation goal. One thing I also remember was that Abedi Pele was at the stadium watching the Black Stars. From then I was drafted into the squad to the 2002 Cup of Nations in Mali and I have since become a regular member of the Black Stars.

Q: You were also part of the squad that went to the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. After starting so well the team crashed out unexpectedly. What really happened?
A: It was a very disappointing tournament for the entire team, especially me. I played only two matches and had a yellow card in each game which ruled me out of the last group match against Japan in which we lost and got kicked out of the competition. I was so disappointed. We started well and believed we could go far but it was unfortunate it ended that way. However, our qualification to the Germany 2006 World Cup has erased that painful memory and I thank God for that.

Q: Many still cannot fathom how the team put behind it the disappointment of CAN 2006 and sold out a stunning display at the World Cup.
A: Foremost we have to give glory to God and thank Him for what He did for us. It was a collective performance and it was the result of our resolve to make the nation and ourselves proud. We did not achieve the World Cup qualification on a silver platter, so we resolved to leave a lasting impression. We were also determined not to disgrace ourselves. The team spirit and motivation were very high and we could correct ourselves on the pitch. We also had an inspirational captain in Stephen Appiah who would ginger the entire team before and during games. Appiah is a captain who does a lot of the work himself. He goes everywhere on the pitch - from defence to attack. And if you are a player and you see your captain committing himself so much to the team, it inspires you to also give of your best. You can never relax when your leader is running all over the pitch. We also noticed the support given to us by Ghanaians. This team has the potential to bring laurels to our country and I want to make a special plea to the FA not to take things for granted. They should focus on this team very well and make sure the sky should be the limit. They are taking good care of this team but I want to urge them to be extra focused on the team and not take things for granted. We thank God for His mercies and all Ghanaians for their support.

Q: How do you feel when you don the national shirt?
A: It is absolutely a special feeling to wear the national shirt. You feel honoured that out of the several players around you have been chosen to represent the nation. The national team is a special selection of the nation’s best players so it is always a good feeling when I wear the shirt. I play with extra zeal, commitment and enthusiasm. It is a national service and I am always ready to serve.

No national anthem is played before a club game and the sound of the national anthem before international games reminds you that it is a special and an honourable assignment. I thank God for giving me strength to serve my country because without Him I cannot do anything. Sometimes I go into games half-fit but it is difficult to turn your back on your nation unless you are seriously injured and can’t do anything about it. For instance, during our last friendly matches against Austria and Brazil, I wasn’t feeling well but I managed to play because of the love I have for my country. My situation was worst before the Brazil game and I could feel that I wasn’t well during the game but I didn’t want to disappoint the nation and the team. Only the team doctor and the technical team knew about my situation. None of the players knew because in the absence of our inspirational captain and some senior players, complaining of sickness would have demoralised the team so I kept it to myself and managed to play. I did it because the national team is special for me. I thank Ghana to giving me this opportunity to serve her.

Q: How important is the up-coming Cup of Nations to you?
A: It is very, very important not only to me but you (referring to me) as well as all Ghanaians. It is very important and it features prominently in my dreams. We must win it and I believe we will win it by God’s will. We have to try as much as we can to lift the trophy at home. We (players) are determined to lift the Cup and all that we require from the nation is support and prayers. They should not fear at all as long as they will continue to offer us maximum prayers and support. We are on break now and when we resume our build up to the tournament in August, they will see our seriousness and determination. We are very determined and we believe God will help our cause.

Q: Has Coach Le Roy's decision to give the team a break being helpful?
A: It's been very beneficial and we are happy that the coach thought it wise to grant us this deserved break. We have had a very long season in Europe and this is the time for us to rest and it wouldn't be appropriate to continue playing when we are expected to rest. I thank the coach on behalf of my colleagues for giving us this chance to rest. I assure him that we will have a good rest and come back refreshed to continue with our preparation for the Cup of Nations.

Q: Why are you called the Rock of Gibraltar?
A: It was given to me by my pastor, Rev. Joseph Bright Quarshie as a way of motivating me and I love that name. The pastor, who I have already said is not only my pastor but a father as well, always finds a way of inspiring me and he gave me that name. The Rock of Gibraltar is a huge rock which I understand cannot be defeated. It is an unshakable, unmovable and unconquerable rock which has a great record; and I am happy to be compared to this amazing rock. Being a defender, the name inspires me to live up to its billing of invincibility. It makes me a giant tower at the back.

If you can remember very well, I displayed a T-shirt with the Rock of Gibraltar inscription after we beat the Czech Republic and it was to show to the world how much I appreciate the nickname. I thank my pastor for giving me such a great name which continues to inspire me. I am even more inspired by the name when I am playing for the national team because the name is more popular here. It is a great name and I have to always live up to its billing. I thank God for giving me enough strength to live up to this great name so far.

Q: Your continuous praises to God and your pastor throughout this conversation suggest to me that you are very religious.
A: Yes, I am a Christian and a Methodist. God has done a lot of amazing things for me and He is first in everything that I do. I came up from nowhere to where I am now. As I said earlier, I wasn't part of the academy but I was the only person who got a contract. It was something great from God and I will always thank Him for that. I was also brought up in a Christian way by my mother and Pastor Quarshie has also guided me on the right path. I am also fortunate to have married a very good Christian woman who is also a Methodist.

Q: How are you encouraged in times of disappointment after games?
A: I have a very supportive wife who is always there for me. She understands the nature of my work and therefore, she always encourages me when the going gets tough or in times of defeat. Let me take this opportunity to thank my wife for the support she has been giving me ever since we got married. I am not the type who likes outings like clubbing, so I decided to settle down and she has been a great source of joy to me. She does everything for me while I concentrate on my football career. God has also blessed us with two children (2 boys) and we thank Him for that.

Q: Where were you born? I understand Obuasi.
A: No, my mother told me I was born in Accra around the Ebony Restaurant (Circle area). My mother used to stay there with my late father but I moved to Obuasi very early and stayed there. I still go to the area at Circle and there are those who still remember that I was born there. Even though I was born in Accra, I am a Fante from Odoben. Both my mother and my father are from Odoben.

Q: What's your day like now that your mind is off football?
A: It is exciting to be with your family and they make me very happy. I am mostly in the house because I want to be with them. I don't go out and even if I should go somewhere, I always go with my family to a restaurant. I also chat and play with my children when they return from school. I do pay visits to my siblings, my mother and the entire family occasionally but they also visit me here and it is exciting.

I play a lot of Gospel music when I am home because it inspires me. The words in Gospel music are nice to listen to so I listen to a lot of Gospel music.

Q: How many children and siblings do you have?
A: I have two children; John Mensah Simons who is named after my late father. The second one is Mathew Mensah. For my brothers and sisters we are six; four men and two women.

Q: Finally what message do you have for your fans and admirers as well as the entire nation?
A: First of all, I will like to give thanks to God Almighty for what He has done for me. Without Him I would not be here. Secondly, I want to thank my mother for the good upbringing which has been very influential in my life. My wife also deserves my commendations for her lovely support. I also want to thank my pastor, for his support and prayers. Finally I thank my fan club in Obuasi and all Ghanaians for their immense support. Ghanaians have really been supportive and I thank everybody. I assure them that we (Black Stars) will do our best to win the Cup of Nations for the country. I call on everybody; Moslems, Christians, etc to continue praying for the Black Stars and by God's Grace the sky will be the limit.