Four-time African Footballer of the Year Yaya Toure retires from Int’l football
Cote d’Ivoire’s football star Yaya Toure has announced his retirement from international football participation, just three months before the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Gabon.
The 33-year-old who currently plies his trade for English side Manchester City made the announcement via his official Facebook account, saying the decision to end his participation for the Elephants was “the most difficult match of my life”.
Yaya was voted as the African Footballer of the Year four times; in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
He represented Cote d’Ivoire in six Africa Cup of Nations tournaments; in 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2015, helping them finish runner-up in 2006 and 2012, while captaining them to victory in 2015.
Yaya Toure is the younger brother of Kolo Toure who now plays for Scottish side Celtic FC.
In the heart-warming letter on Facebook, Yaya thanked his team-mates, fans, family and friends for making his career a remarkable one.
Eventhough he is retiring however, he said that he still has a lot to offer, and would like to continue doing that.
“I can still bring a lot to the players, to the youth of my country and to the African continent and to the world. I would like to give the children what football has given me. Football gave me a lot. It taught me many things, things of life. This is one of the most important lessons in my life. Thank you! God bless you!”
