African footballers are far from always outstanding and in most cases the point is not in their unsuitability, but in the absence of proper conditions for their development and improvement of skills. One of the players in Africa, who nevertheless managed to make a name for themselves on the international stage, was the midfielder of Manchester City and the Ivorian national team Yaya Toure. It is about this midfielder that the article will be discussed.
Yaya Toure: biography and the beginning of a career
The defensive midfielder was born on May 13, 1983 in the city of Bouaké, Côte d'Ivoire. The footballer is a pupil of the African ASEC Mimozas team. The player’s football career started in 2001, and the Belgian Beveren became the first club of the midfielder who was just taking his first steps in the number one game. An African played for this club for two years and managed to take part in 70 football matches and even scored three goals. During the appearances in the Belgian team, the defensive midfielder managed to declare himself as a potential footballer, as a result of which he was noticed by scouts of Donetsk Metallurg.
In 2003, Yaya Toure ended up in Donetsk Metallurg. Before this, the midfielder could go to London's Arsenal, but he had problems with a work visa. If the transfer happened, the English team would have to rent the Ivorian, which did not suit him. That is why he chose the Ukrainian team. As part of the Donetsk Metallurg, the African football player spent a year and a half, and in 33 matches he managed to score 16 goals against the opponents. Such impressive figures attracted the attention of the Greek Olympiacos, where Toure and moved in 2005. For the Greeks, the Ivorian played 26 fights and scored 3 goals.
The football player noticed many of the greats of European football, such as Arsenal, Milan, Chelsea, Manchester United and Lyon, but Yaya still became a player of the Monaco that was not known at that time. The player’s transfer amount was 4.5 million euros. Having played 27 matches as part of the French club and scoring 5 goals against opponents, Yaya Toure fully declared himself. It was here that the talents of the football player were revealed: the ability to destroy the attacks of opponents, a good pass and the ability to support the attack.
Barcelona
In June 2007, an African footballer joined the ranks of the Catalan Barcelona, which paid 10 million euros for the Monaco midfielder. In Barcelona, the midfielder spent 3 full seasons, although he did not have regular playing practice, due to the fact that his main competitors were Andres Iniesta and Xavi, who were almost impossible to beat at that time. Nevertheless, with the Catalans, Yaya won the main trophy of club football - the Champions League, which allowed him to replenish the already impressive piggy bank of awards.
As part of Barcelona, the football player became a two-time Spanish champion, winner
of the Spanish Cup, UEFA
Super Cup, as well as the winner of the Club World Cup. The last season for the Spanish Grand Tour was not as bright as the previous two, so I seriously thought about the next change of club registration.
"Manchester city"
In July 2010, Yaya Toure, a football player who had already managed to establish himself at the world level, decided that it was time to move forward and signed a contract with Manchester City. The transfer amount was 24 million euros. The team at that moment began to make a name for itself, so the involvement of a player of the Yaya level helped her in the fight for the highest positions in the English Premier League and the long-awaited entry into the Champions League.
Manchester City is perhaps the only team in which the Ivorian lingered for a long time. For 3 years of staying in the camp of “citizens”, Yaya became a real leader and motor of the team. The regular goals of the Ivory Coast national team player helped City become the Champion of England for the first time in more than 40 years, to win the FA Cup and the
FA Cup. It is possible that in mid-May, Yaya and his team will celebrate the next championship. In addition, the midfielder recently signed a new four-year contract with the British. Even Yaya Toure's wife is happy in Manchester!
Powerful penalties, the ability to play both a defensive and an attacking midfielder, mobility, excellent field vision - these are not all the strengths of an African football player.
International career
Yaya Toure has regularly been called up to the national team of his country since 2006. He participated in 5
cups of African nations, twice taking second place and once fourth, as well as in the World Championships 2006 and 2010. It is expected that Yaya will play at the upcoming World Cup in Brazil.
Personal life
Yaya has two brothers - Kolo and Ibrahim, who are professional footballers. The African is married. It is noteworthy that the midfielder is considered a real polyglot, as he is fluent in five languages, including English, French, Russian, Spanish and one of the local dialects of Côte d'Ivoire.
Despite the fact that the leader of Manchester City is already 31 years old, he will surely be able to please his fans with an attractive and interesting game for a long time to come. Let's hope this player’s career is far from over.