Yaya Toure Quites International Football With Ivory Coast

Yaya Toure Quites International Football With Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast great Yaya Toure has announced his retirement from international football after a 12-year spell that saw him rack up 102 caps.

Toure, 33, captained the national side to their second Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) title in Equatorial Guinea in 2015 during the twilight years of their ‘golden generation’, and was expected to lead them to next year’s event in Gabon before this announcement, Sun writes.

The four-time African footballer of the year said though calling it quits with the Elephants was a “difficult” decision, he was sure it’d come at the right time.

“Writing this note was probably ‘the most difficult match of my life.’ After 14 years at the highest level, I’m sure this is the right time for me!

“The fact that I am 33 now, the intensity of training and the multitude of games are not the reasons why I am making this decision.

“Some decisions are difficult to take but it is time to pass things on to other players.

“I thank all my supporters and my fans.”

The former Barcelona star represented the Ivory Coast at three World Cup finals, and replaced Didier Drogba as captain after the 2014 Mundial in Brazil.

He is presently trying to regain his footing at the Etihad after being frozen out by new boss Pep Guardiola.

The Catalan coach has said he will not pick Toure until he apologises to the club and his team-mates for comments made by his agent, Dimitri Seluk earlier in the season.

Seluk, said the midfielder had been “humiliated” and Guardiola should apologise to him if City do not win the competition.