City midfielder Yaya Toure is considering retirement from international football after pulling out of Ivory Coast’s latest squad. The midfielder will no longer travel with the squad to Sierra Leone in September.
The Ivorian has told national coach Michel Dussuyer that he is contemplating putting an end to his international commitment, allowing him to focus solely on his club football with City.
Toure has won 100 caps for the Ivory Coast and captained his country to their first African Nations Cup title in 23 years. The 32-year-old has played in three World Cups, and six African Nations Cups.
Last season, following the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Toure struggled for form throughout, looking tired and isolated in the centre of City’s midfield. However, after a brief break over the summer, the Ivorian has been on top form, starting every game for Manuel Pellegrini’s side this season. Pellegrini has stated that he believes his vice-captain has been over-active over recent seasons and his international commitments have been partly to blame.
City fans will no doubt be rejoicing at the news. However, Dussuyer has urged his captain to continue with the Ivorian team, saying “Yaya Toure is in a period of reflection. I hope he will continue”.
Toure’s City teammate Wilfried Bony is however, due to meet up with the national team next week as they bid to qualify for the 2017 African Nations Cup.
