Their father was one of the greatest African footballers of all time. For André and Jordan Ayew, that name was both a gift and a weight.
The sons of Abedi Pele have spent their careers proving they are more than famous surnames.
Abedi Pele
Abedi Ayew, known as Abedi Pele, won three African Footballer of the Year awards and the Champions League with Marseille in 1993. He is considered one of Ghana’s greatest players.
André
André Ayew was born in France on 17 December 1989. He joined his father’s former club, Marseille, as a youngster and became a key player there under Didier Deschamps, winning trophies including consecutive League Cups in 2010 and 2011.
He later played in England for Swansea City and West Ham, among other clubs.
The 2009 U-20 World Cup
André captained Ghana’s under-20 team that won both the 2009 African Youth Championship and the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup, the first African team to win that title.
A Black Stars stalwart
André became a senior international in 2008 and went on to earn more than 120 caps, playing at several World Cups and captaining the team.
Jordan
Jordan Ayew, born on 11 September 1991, also began at Marseille. He moved to England with Aston Villa in 2015 and was their top scorer in his first full season, though the club was relegated. He repeated the feat at Swansea City in 2018.
Crystal Palace
Jordan joined Crystal Palace, where he made more than 200 appearances and became a reliable, hardworking forward.
Captain
Jordan made his debut for Ghana in 2010 and has captained the national team since 2025, following in his brother’s footsteps.
Playing together
The brothers have often played together for Ghana, and at times for the same club, including at Marseille early in their careers. They have spoken about the bond that comes from sharing a pitch with a sibling.
The third brother
A third brother, Ibrahim, has also played professional football, making the Ayews one of Ghana’s best-known football families.
Their father’s pride
Abedi Pele has often spoken of his pride in his sons, and he has watched them play in the same competitions where he once starred.
More than the name
Being Abedi Pele’s son opened doors and invited comparisons. Between them, André and Jordan have played hundreds of Premier League, Ligue 1 and international matches, and built careers their father can be proud of.
