Former Ghana midfielder Michael Essien says he still holds memories of his one and only World Cup goal at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina 2001.

The ex-Chelsea star, who recently watched the female U-20 team of Ghana play at the World Cup in France revealed some of his best memories in football came from playing at that level.

Essien was a member of the Black Satellites team at the FIFA u-20 World Cup in Argentina 2001, where Ghana reached the finals, losing to the host.

The 35-year-old, who has played for the country at several levels including the senior World Cups in Germany and Brazil pointed out his only goal at the Mundial came at the U-20 World Cup. Essien scored against Paraguay in the opening game.

"I have great memories of that tournament. We had a superb run to the final, where the hosts, Argentina, beat us to the title. The experience will stay with me forever, though, especially as that was where I scored the one and only World Cup goal of my career, against Paraguay in our opening match," he told FIFA.com.

"I also remember our win over Kaka’s Brazil in the quarter-finals. We scored the winner in the very last minute. Matches like that stay with you,' he added.

The former Real Madrid, AC Milan and Panathanaikos midfielder announced his international football last month.