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Yaya Toure Dispels International Retirement Rumours

Yaya Toure Dispels International Retirement Rumours

Cote D’Ivoire captain Yaya Toure has spoken out to dispel rumours regarding plans to retire from the Ivorian national team following their triumph at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The Elephants dominated the competition at the 2015 Nations Cup, thanks in a big way to their impressive skipper and four-time African Player of the Year, ending the tournament with a penalty shootout victory over the Black Stars of Ghana to take the title home to their fans.

Toure’s absence from club side Manchester City during his time at the AFCON saw the Citizens struggle to pick up points in the English Premier League, highlighting his importance to the team.

He was involved in Cote D’Ivoire’s two friendly matches during the past week, defeating Angola 2-1 before drawing 1-1 with 2015 Nations Cup hosts Equatorial Guinea.

Brother Kolo Toure and goalkeeper Boubacar Barry decided to retire from the national team following the AFCON title victory, and rumours have surfaced in the Ivorian media concerning the possibility of Kolo’s younger brother to follow suit.

The 31-year-old Ivorian talent is keen to squash the rumours and restate his determination to fight on in the orange colours of his national team.

“I want to continue to progress with the Ivorian team and at my club. I am the kind of person who is always willing to win and move forward,” Toure told French radio station RFI.

“I will hang up my boots the day I no longer have the zeal to compete for titles and victories. I think we have done our best. I’m going to take some time out to think of my future with the national team,” he added.

“I know I’m still useful at the set up and people are expecting me to continue. The 2015 AFCON title is not all I need with the team. We can conquer more grounds in the future, and so this is not the time to talk about retirement. Football has changed my life so much that I cannot abandon it. Through football, I’ll always do my best to make my fans happy,” he concluded.