A Look at the Career and Life of Former Real Madrid Ghanaian Defender Daniel Opare

• Opare’s European football journey began at Real Madrid’s youth academy, where he showed immense promise
• However, the Ghanaian defender never made an appearance for Los Blancos' senior team in two years
• While Opare’s professional career may have slowed, his active social media presence keeps him in the public eye

Daniel Opare continues to maintain a visible presence on social media despite being without a club for the past two years.

His journey in European football has been one filled with promise, challenges, and remarkable moments, but his current lifestyle reveals a quieter, more personal side to the ex-defender.

Many fans are interesred in what life has been like for the 34-year-old former Real Madrid Castilla player, and what the future might hold for him.

Opare's early career at Real Madrid Castilla

After playing for Obuasi Ashantigold and shining for the Black Starlets at the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup, Opare joined Real Madrid’s youth system, Castilla, in 2008.

The full-back was touted as one of Ghana's promising young stars, and expectations were high when he moved to Spain.

Although he spent two years with the Real Madrid Castilla team, Opare never made an appearance for the senior team, per Wikipedia.

Nevertheless, his time in Madrid allowed him to develop his skills and gain exposure to top-level training, which would be instrumental as he progressed in his professional journey.

Speaking to YEN.com.gh, Ghanaian sports jouralist Nana Adu, believes Opare should not have moved to Real Madrid in the first place.

''I was one of the ppeole who still think Opare's move to Real Madrid in 2008 was not the best decision. He was highly rated in the world, but breaking into the Real Madrid senior team was always going to be hard for him. Madrid are not like Barcelona where youngsters are handed major opportunities.'' Nana Adu said.

Standard Liège signed Daniel Opare

In 2010, the former Ghana youth star made the decision to leave the Spanish capital, signing with Belgian side Standard Liège.

His move proved to be a turning point in his career. At Standard Liège, he became a regular starter and enjoyed considerable success over the next four years.

According to Transfermarkt, the Ghanaian made over 110 appearances for the Belgian team, and was known for offensive abilities despite being a right-back.

Opare’s consistent performances at Standard Liège helped solidify his reputation, making him one of the more sought-after African defenders in Europe at the time.

He would go on to play for several other clubs during the course of his career, including Porto in Portugal and Augsburg in Germany, but it was his time in Belgium that many remember as the peak of his club career.

The decline of Opare's career

Since April 2023, as featured by Flashscore, the former defender has been without a club.

His lack of recent playing time has led some to speculate about his retirement, but Opare has not officially announced his retirement from football.

''He is 34 years now and I do not think some of these top teams will come for him. It is rather sad for me to see a player with so much potential and hype remain clubless for two seasons. No one really knows where he is now.

''I tried to do some checks and realize that he has not officially retired. Let us all hope that Daniel Opare gets a team a new team.

''That is what I can say for now. Maybe he also can consider doing his coaching badges if had not done so yet. He is still popular. At the mention of his name, lots of people recall his best days, and so it should not be difficult for him to form part of the the U-17 or U-20 national teams of Ghana'' Nana Adu added.

Instead, he has continued to train and keep himself fit in the hopes of returning to the game, with reports suggesting that he is hoping to find a new club ahead of the 2025/26 season.

Social media and personal life

While his professional career on the pitch has quieted, Daniel Opare is still active on social media.

His Instagram account showcases glimpses of his personal life, with regular posts featuring him working out, traveling, and enjoying leisure time.

Despite the luxury and comfort visible in his posts, Opare seems content in the quieter phase of his life.

It is clear that the former defender is enjoying a different kind of balance, one that many players only find after retiring.

Inside Kwadwo Asamoah's world-class Juventus Academy

Earlier, YEN.com.gh covered Kwadwo Asamoah's groundbreaking Juventus Academy in Ghana extensively, with the former Black Stars midfielder working as the training facility's technical director.

Asamoah, who won multiple trophies with the Serie A side, is one of the richest ex-Ghana internationals which is evident in his lavish partnership with Juventus.

Source: YEN.com.gh