Yaya Toure retires from international football

Four-time winner of African footballer of the year  award, Yaya Toure announced his retirement from international football on Tuesday.

The 33-year-old Ivorian Manchester City midfielder – capped 113 times – said it had been an incredibly difficult decision.

“Writing this note was probably ‘the most difficult match of my life’,” wrote Toure.

“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.”

In a recent brew with the Mancity manager, Toure’s agent, Dimitri Seluk, said the midfielder had been “humiliated” and Guardiola should apologise to him if City do not win the competition.

Guardiola said: “He must apologise. If he doesn’t, he won’t play.”