Kevin-Prince Boateng (German: [ˈkɛvɪn ˈpʁɪns boaˈtɛŋ]; born 6 March 1987), often known as Prince, is knowledgeable footballer who performs as a midfielder or ahead for Bundesliga membership Hertha BSC. He represented the Ghana nationwide group.
Coming by way of the youth system, Boateng started his profession at Hertha BSC, earlier than becoming a member of Tottenham Hotspur in England. After a brief mortgage spell with Borussia Dortmund, Boateng moved to Portsmouth. In 2010 he joined Serie A aspect AC Milan, successful each the league and Supercoppa Italiana titles in his first season. Boateng left Milan after three seasons, returning to Germany becoming a member of Schalke 04. In January 2016 he returned to Milan, remaining for six months, earlier than transferring to Spanish membership Las Palmas. Boateng made his third return to Germany in 2017, enjoying for Eintracht Frankfurt, earlier than becoming a member of Italian aspect Sassuolo. After a brief mortgage to Barcelona, with whom he gained a La Liga title, he moved again to Italy, becoming a member of Fiorentina. In January 2020 he was despatched on a six-month mortgage to Turkish aspect Beşiktaş, and in September 2020 he moved to Monza.
Born in Germany, Boateng represented his native nation internationally at youth degree; he opted to characterize Ghana at senior degree 15 occasions between 2010 and 2014—scoring two objectives—and represented them on the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups.
Membership profession
Reinickendorfer Füchse
Boateng began his membership profession with the membership Reinickendorfer Füchse in early 1994 at age six previous to signing for Hertha BSC on 1 July 1994 on the age of seven, first enjoying for them to 31 July 2007 when he was 20 years outdated.[8]
Hertha BSC II
After rising from the Hertha feeder groups, Boateng performed for Hertha BSC II for 2 seasons. He was promoted to the Hertha first group squad within the 2005–06 season.[9]
Hertha BSC
Boateng made his first group debut in a 2–0 win in opposition to Eintracht Frankfurt within the second spherical of the 2005–06 Bundesliga season on 13 August 2005 on the Olympic Stadium, being introduced on firstly of the second half.[10]
Boateng was awarded the Fritz Walter Bronze Medal Award within the Underneath-18 class in 2005.[11] Boateng began his first Bundesliga match in a 2–2 draw in opposition to Borussia Mönchengladbach within the 14th spherical of the Bundesliga season.
On 27 July 2006, Boateng was awarded the Fritz Walter Gold Medal within the Underneath-19 class.[11]
Tottenham Hotspur
Boateng signed a four-year contract with Tottenham Hotspur in July 2007 for a reported £5.4 million, securing him forward of UEFA Cup holders Sevilla.[12] His success on the membership was restricted,[13] and he was loaned to Borussia Dortmund in January 2009 for the rest of the season.[14]
Borussia Dortmund (mortgage)
He made ten Bundesliga appearances throughout his mortgage, however was pressured to overlook the ultimate two matches of the season for a suspension of 4 matches imposed by the German Soccer Affiliation (DFB) following a tricky problem and “no-nonsense flying kick” to the top of VfL Wolfsburg’s Makoto Hasebe.[15]
Dortmund had been desperate to signal Boateng completely on the finish of the season, however monetary constraints prevented them from doing so.[15][16][17]
Portsmouth

Boateng enjoying for Portsmouth within the 2010 FA Cup Ultimate
English Premier League membership Portsmouth signed Boateng on a three-year contract in August 2009 for a reported charge of round £4 million.[18][19] On 12 September 2009, he scored his first aim for the membership in opposition to Bolton Wanderers,[20] and was named Portsmouth’s joint Participant of the Month.[21] He completed his solely season on the membership with three objectives in 22 Premier League video games as they had been relegated amidst monetary disarray.
In Could 2010, Portsmouth performed Chelsea within the FA Cup Ultimate, which Chelsea gained 1–0. Boateng had his penalty for Portsmouth saved within the 54th minute, 4 minutes earlier than Didier Drogba scored Chelsea’s successful aim. In the course of the match, Boateng fouled Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack, injuring Ballack’s ankle and ruling him out of the upcoming 2010 World Cup. Boateng claimed that Ballack slapped him within the face previous to this, and that he apologised to Ballack personally for the sort out which left him injured.[22][23][24][25][26]
Boateng known as the German media and the German nationwide group gamers hypocrites for backing Ballack while ignoring his slap on the pitch.[27] Boateng additionally criticised Joachim Löw for safeguarding Ballack after he slapped striker Lukas Podolski in a German nationwide soccer group coaching match the earlier yr.[27]
Genoa and AC Milan

Boateng enjoying for AC Milan in 2012
On 17 August 2010, Boateng transferred to Italian Serie A membership Genoa on a three-year contract for €5.75 million,[28] (a reported €5.7 million plus the switch of Anthony Vanden Borre, regardless of the latter deal falling-through[29]) after which instantly joined AC Milan on mortgage.[30] The deal later grew to become a co-ownership deal in the identical switch window for €5.25 million.[31] Milan signed Boateng completely from Genoa in June 2011 for €7 million[32] on a four-year contract as a result of expire in June 2015.[33]
On 23 October 2011, Boateng got here on as a half-time substitute in opposition to Lecce and scored three objectives in 14 minutes. Milan had been 3–0 down at half-time, however went on to win the sport 4–3. Boateng is just the second participant within the historical past of Serie A to attain a hat-trick after approaching in its place.[34] The hat-trick was the quickest in Serie A since David Trezeguet scored a ten-minute hat-trick for Juventus in 2001.[35][36][37]
On 3 January 2013, Milan was enjoying Italian Lega Professional 2 aspect Professional Patria in a mid-season pleasant when Boateng and several other different Milan gamers had been the targets of racist chanting from a piece of the Professional Patria crowd. Boateng reacted by kicking the ball into the stands earlier than leaving the pitch, and was adopted off by his teammates. The match was subsequently deserted.[38] His resolution to stroll off the pitch was later backed by numerous gamers and commentators.[39]
On 20 February, Boateng scored the opening aim for Milan in opposition to Barcelona within the 2012–13 UEFA Champions League spherical of 16 first leg, which Milan went on to win 2–0.[40] In August 2013, he was quoted as saying he had modified his model since signing for Milan, from enjoying primarily as a defensive midfielder to adopting the function of trequartista.[41]
Schalke 04

Boateng coaching with Schalke 04 in 2015
On 30 August 2013, Milan introduced that Boateng had been transferred to German Bundesliga membership Schalke 04 for a €10 million switch charge[42] on a four-year contract as a result of expire in June 2017.[43]
Boateng made his debut for Schalke 04 in a 2–0 victory in opposition to Bayer Leverkusen.[44] On 14 September 2013, he scored the successful aim for Schalke 04 in a 1–0 win over Mainz 05.[45] On 30 October 2013, Boateng was voted the Schalke 04 participant of the month for October 2013 by followers.[46] On 9 November 2013, Boateng scored two objectives in opposition to Werder Bremen; Schalke 04 gained the match 3–1.[47][48] Boateng scored seven Bundesliga objectives over the season as Schalke completed in third place.[49]
On 11 Could 2015, Boateng, alongside Sidney Sam and Marco Höger, was suspended indefinitely from the membership within the aftermath of a defeat in opposition to 1. FC Köln on account of poor behaviour which claimed to have led to the membership’s poor home performances.[50][51]
His contract with Schalke was terminated on 8 December 2015.[52]
Return to Milan
As Schalke 04 terminated his contract in December 2015, Boateng re-joined Milan on 5 January 2016 on a free switch and signed a six-month contract.[53][54] He was coaching with Milan since his suspension in September 2015.[55] He made his official return debut on 9 January 2016, enjoying 36 minutes in opposition to Roma in a 1–1 draw and scored his first aim in his first match again on the San Siro six days later in opposition to Fiorentina in a 2–0 win.[56]
On 25 Could 2016, membership proprietor Silvio Berlusconi introduced Boateng’s departure, together with these of Alex, Philippe Mexès and Mario Balotelli.[57]
Las Palmas
On 2 August 2016, Spanish La Liga membership Las Palmas introduced that they’d reached an settlement with Boateng for his signature following his launch from Milan.[58] He made his debut on 22 August 2016 in a 4–2 away win in opposition to Valencia on the Mestalla Stadium.[59] On 24 October Boateng scored a aim in opposition to Villarreal which was regarded by some pundits as the most effective objectives of La Liga that yr.[60]
On 16 August 2017, Las Palmas introduced that Boateng had cancelled his contract by the membership by mutual consent, citing “irreversible private causes” for the choice.[61]
Eintracht Frankfurt
On 18 August 2017, Boateng accomplished his transfer to Eintracht Frankfurt on a three-year deal, the place he gained the DFB-Pokal.[62]
Sassuolo
On 5 July 2018, Boateng signed with Sassuolo on a three-year deal.[63][64]
Barcelona (mortgage)
Boateng joined Spanish La Liga membership Barcelona on 21 January 2019 on mortgage till the tip of the 2018–19 season, with the membership holding an choice to signal him completely for an €8 million switch charge.[65] He had joined the Catalan aspect to function a backup for Luis Suárez after Munir El Haddadi was bought to Sevilla.[66] The switch made him the primary Ghanaian ever to characterize the membership.[67] He made his membership debut on 23 January, in a 2–0 away defeat to Sevilla within the first leg of the Copa del Rey quarter-finals.[68]
Fiorentina
On 30 July 2019, Boateng signed with ACF Fiorentina.[69] He made his debut for the membership on 24 August within the opening sport of the 2019–20 Serie A season, approaching in its place within the second half and scoring a aim in an eventual 4–3 house loss to Napoli.[70][71]
Beşiktaş (mortgage)
On 31 January 2020, Boateng joined Turkish Süper Lig membership Beşiktaş on mortgage for the rest of the 2019–20 season.[72]
Monza
On 28 September 2020, Boateng moved to newly promoted Serie B aspect Monza on a one-year contract, with the choice to increase for an additional yr.[73] He scored his first aim on 24 October 2020, changing a penalty in a 1–2 defeat to Chievo at house.[74] On 15 December 2020, Boateng scored two headed objectives in a league sport in opposition to Virtus Entella, serving to Monza win 5–0.[75]
Return to Hertha BSC
On 23 June 2021, Boateng returned to Hertha BSC.[76]
Worldwide profession
Youth
Germany
Boateng holds a German passport, beforehand enjoying for the Germany nationwide youth group. His long-distance aim for the under-19 group in a 2005 UEFA European Underneath-19 Soccer Championship match in opposition to Greece – which Germany gained 3–0 – was voted Aim of the Month by viewers of a German Das Erste TV sports activities present.[9]
In 2007, Berliner Morgenpost reported that then Germany under-21 coach Dieter Eilts would now not choose him and different group gamers as a result of a curfew that had been damaged within the group’s camp through the June 2007 Toulon Event in France.[77][78] In February 2009, Boateng was known as as much as the Germany U21 group by new coach Horst Hrubesch for the worldwide match in opposition to the Republic of Eire in Cork.[79] Hrubesch chosen Boateng within the preliminary U21 squad for the 2009 UEFA European Underneath-21 Soccer Championship in Sweden in June 2009.[80]
In June 2009, Boateng instructed the German authorities that he was now not all in favour of representing Germany.[81]
Senior
Change to Ghana
Boateng obtained a Ghanaian passport[82] and switched his allegiance to Ghana in Could 2010;[83][84] he has stated that he feels extra Ghanaian.[85] He started his senior worldwide soccer profession by attending coaching with the nationwide aspect, “The Black Stars,” that very same month on the Accra Sports activities Stadium in Higher Accra prior the 2010 World Cup.[86] Boateng made his debut in a 1–0 victory over Latvia in June 2010.[87]
2006 World Cup
In 2006, the Ghana Soccer Affiliation had been in touch with Boateng on him representing the Ghana forward of the 2006 World Cup.[81] However the course of below which FIFA needed to resolve on his eligibility could be lengthy, as Boateng was previous the age below the outdated FIFA guidelines the place outdated youth internationals may swap allegiance. FIFA’s resolution to reverse the principles in 2009 had given Boateng the inexperienced gentle to change his allegiance, and time gave the impression to be operating out when his clearance to characterize the Black Stars had nonetheless not arrived firstly of Could 2010.[81]
2010 World Cup

Boateng (proper) enjoying for Ghana on the 2010 FIFA World Cup
Boateng was chosen as a part of the Ghana squad for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa by head coach Milovan Rajevac,[27] to fill in for the injured Michael Essien alongside defensive midfielder Anthony Annan.[5] On 23 June, he was chosen to begin in Ghana’s sport in opposition to Germany, whose group included his brother Jérôme Boateng. Ghana held Germany to a Sixtieth-minute lone aim and 1–0 win.[88] It was the primary time that two brothers performed on reverse groups on the World Cup.[89] Boateng picked up the ball from the half-way line, dribbled it “quickly bamboozling” his opponents earlier than scoring with a left-footed shot from exterior the penalty space within the fourth minute of a 2–1 win over the US within the round-of-16 in Rustenburg’s Royal Bafokeng Sports activities Palace on 26 June.[90]
Retirement
In November 2011, Boateng introduced his worldwide retirement, citing fatigue from journey on the age of 24 years, thus lacking the prospect to contest the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.[91] In September 2012, Marseille’s Ghanaian striker and shut good friend André Ayew revealed that Boateng was contemplating reversing his resolution to retire, however he didn’t play within the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations both.[92][93][94]
2014 World Cup
On 1 October 2013, Boateng was chosen for Ghana’s 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification play-offs in opposition to Egypt.[95] On 4 November 2013, he got here on as a 79th-minute substitute within the second leg and scored Ghana’s solely aim within the 89th minute because the Black Stars secured qualification for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.[96]
On 2 June 2014, Boateng was named in Ghana’s squad for the World Cup finals.[97] Within the group’s opening match, he got here on as a second-half substitute in opposition to the US in a 2–1 defeat.[98] He was then chosen to begin in opposition to Germany in a 2–2 draw, enjoying in opposition to his brother once more.[99][100]
On 26 June, Boateng was despatched house and suspended from the Ghana squad for disciplinary causes, solely hours earlier than the ultimate group match in opposition to Portugal, after he was alleged to have verbally abused former supervisor James Kwesi Appiah throughout a group assembly.[101] Boateng was despatched house together with midfielder Sulley Muntari.[102][103] On 29 June, Boateng had hit again on the Ghana Soccer Affiliation, describing the Black Stars’ organisation through the event as “amateurish”.[104]
Fashion of play
Boateng is a fast, dynamic, bodily robust and well-rounded midfielder, recognized for his aggression, eye for aim, long-range capturing capacity, aptitude, footspeed, ball-juggling methods, and dribbling expertise.[9][105][106][107] A flexible and tenacious participant,[108][109] his sport has a specific dependence on “sheer power, energy and vitality.” He can produce the work fee, ball retrieval and attacking willingness of the box-to-box midfielder. He combines technical talent with pace of motion which makes him extra harmful.[110] A 2014 profile on FIFA’s official web site described Boateng as being “blessed with power, pace, killer intuition in entrance of aim, and an unusual flamboyance within the attacking third.”[106]
Boateng has been utilised in lots of midfield positions all through his profession, however often performs both within the centre in a box-to-box function,[7] or as an attacking midfielder or ahead;[111] he has additionally been deployed as a false-attacking midfielder, as a second striker, and even as a winger from time to time throughout his time with Milan.[112][113][114] With Las Palmas and Sassuolo, he was additionally deployed in a extra superior, central attacking function, basically positioned as a lone striker, however successfully functioning as a false-9, as a result of his capacity to drop deep, link-up with midfielders, and create house for his different attacking teammates together with his motion off the ball.[115] Along with his enjoying capacity, Boateng is understood for his acrobatic aim celebrations, and sometimes celebrates scoring objectives with a backflip.[116] His former Hertha BSC teammate Niko Kovač has additionally praised Boateng for his management, stating: “Kevin offers the group a way of stability, each mentally and bodily,” additionally describing him as a “warrior.”[117]
Exterior soccer
Private life

Boateng pictured in 2013
Boateng was born in Berlin.[118] His mom, Christine Rahn,[119] is German and his father is from Ghana.[120] He’s the older, paternal half-brother of fellow skilled footballer Jérôme Boateng. He’s divorced from his first spouse Jenny.[119] He grew to become engaged to Italian mannequin Melissa Satta in 2011,[121] and the pair have a toddler, Maddox Prince, born 15 April 2014.[122][123] The couple had been wed on 25 June 2016 in Porto Cervo, Sardinia.[124] Their marriage led to December 2020 after a separation.[125] Boateng says he speaks Turkish, German, English and Italian, and understands French and Arabic.[126]
Tattoos
Boateng has a tattoo of the map of Ghana and the nation’s identify on his arm.[85][127] Throughout his ribs, he has the Chinese language phrases for clan, well being, love, success and belief,[128] and he has different tattoos on his higher physique.[129]
Anti-racism
In February 2013, Boateng was appointed as the primary world ambassador for the FIFA anti-discrimination taskforce, to work alongside FIFA Vice-president Jeffrey Webb at FIFA headquarters.[130] In March, Boateng offered FIFA President Sepp Blatter together with his first section of options to ending world racism in soccer, as requested by Blatter.[131][132] In March 2013, Boateng was named because the United Nations (UN) ambassador for anti-racism. He delivered his first speech in that function accompanied by UN human rights chief Navi Pillay on the United Nations Workplace at Geneva.[133]
Music
Boateng is a eager singer and dancer,[134] and has stated that his singing and dancing idol is Michael Jackson.[134] He enjoys choreography,[135] and singing.[136] As such, Boateng carried out a dance routine involving Michael Jackson’s trademarked Moonwalk for a packed-out San Siro of 88,000 spectators upon Milan celebrating their 18th Scudetto,[135][137] and sang an a cappella reside on beIN Sports activities tv to rejoice their eighth birthday.[136]
In August 2018, he launched a rap tune below the alias PRIN$$ Boateng named King on the World Star Hip Hop channel.[138] Boateng launched his second single, Bella Vita, in July 2019.[139]
Profession statistics
Membership
- As of match performed 8 August 2021[140]
Membership | Season | League | Nationwide Cup[a] | League Cup[b] | Europe | Different | Complete | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division | Apps | Targets | Apps | Targets | Apps | Targets | Apps | Targets | Apps | Targets | Apps | Targets | ||
Hertha BSC II | 2004–05 | Regionalliga Nord | 18 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 18 | 3 | ||||
2005–06 | Regionalliga Nord | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 4 | 1 | |||||
2006–07 | Regionalliga Nord | 7 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 7 | 1 | |||||
Complete | 29 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 5 | ||
Hertha BSC | 2005–06 | Bundesliga | 21 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — | 4[c] | 0 | — | 27 | 2 | ||
2006–07 | Bundesliga | 21 | 2 | 3 | 0 | — | 2[c] | 1 | — | 26 | 3 | |||
Complete | 42 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 53 | 5 | ||
Tottenham Hotspur | 2007–08 | Premier League | 13 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3[c] | 0 | — | 21 | 0 | |
2008–09 | Premier League | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 3 | 0 | ||
2009–10 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | ||||
Complete | 14 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 0 | ||
Borussia Dortmund (mortgage) | 2008–09 | Bundesliga | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 11 | 0 | |||
Portsmouth | 2009–10 | Premier League | 22 | 3 | 5 | 2 | — | — | — | 27 | 5 | |||
Milan | 2010–11 | Serie A | 26 | 3 | 1 | 0 | — | 7[d] | 0 | — | 34 | 3 | ||
2011–12 | Serie A | 19 | 5 | 0 | 0 | — | 7[d] | 3 | 1[e] | 1 | 27 | 9 | ||
2012–13 | Serie A | 29 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — | 7[d] | 1 | — | 37 | 3 | |||
2013–14 | Serie A | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 2[d] | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | |||
Complete | 74 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 100 | 17 | ||
Schalke 04 | 2013–14 | Bundesliga | 28 | 6 | 1 | 0 | — | 6[d] | 1 | — | 35 | 7 | ||
2014–15 | Bundesliga | 18 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 6[d] | 0 | — | 25 | 0 | |||
Complete | 46 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 7 | ||
Milan | 2015–16 | Serie A | 11 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 14 | 1 | |||
Las Palmas | 2016–17 | La Liga | 28 | 10 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 29 | 10 | |||
Eintracht Frankfurt | 2017–18 | Bundesliga | 31 | 6 | 5 | 0 | — | — | — | 36 | 6 | |||
Sassuolo | 2018–19 | Serie A | 13 | 4 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | 15 | 5 | |||
Barcelona (mortgage) | 2018–19 | La Liga | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 1[f] | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
Fiorentina | 2019–20 | Serie A | 14 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 15 | 1 | |||
Beşiktaş (mortgage) | 2019–20 | Süper Lig | 11 | 3 | — | — | — | — | 11 | 3 | ||||
Monza | 2020–21 | Serie B | 24 | 5 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 1[g] | 0 | 25 | 5 | ||
Hertha BSC | 2021–22 | Bundesliga | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | |||
Profession whole | 372 | 58 | 36 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 44 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 456 | 70 |
Worldwide
Nationwide group | Yr | Apps | Targets |
---|---|---|---|
Ghana | 2010 | 8 | 1 |
2011 | 1 | 0 | |
2013 | 1 | 1 | |
2014 | 5 | 0 | |
Complete | 15 | 2 |
- Ghana rating listed first, rating column signifies rating after every Boateng aim.[142]
No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Rating | End result | Competitors |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 26 June 2010 | Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg, South Africa | ![]() |
1–0 | 2–1 | 2010 FIFA World Cup |
2 | 19 November 2013 | 30 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt | ![]() |
1–2 | 1–2 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification |
Honours
AC Milan
- Serie A: 2010–11[143]
- Supercoppa Italiana: 2011[144]
- Coppa Italia runner-up: 2015–16[145]
Eintracht Frankfurt
- DFB-Pokal: 2017–18[146]
Barcelona
- La Liga: 2018–19[147]
Particular person
- Fritz Walter Medal U18 bronze: 2005[9]
- Fritz Walter Medal U19 gold: 2006[9]
- Das Erste Aim of the Month: 2005[9]
- Serie A Crew of the Yr: 2010–11[148]
Media from Commons
Quotations from Wikiquote
- Kevin-Prince Boateng – FIFA competitors report (archived)
- Kevin-Prince Boateng – UEFA competitors report (archive)