Yaya Touré

Yaya Touré is considered the greatest player in Ivory Coast's history and one of the most complete midfielders of his generation. Born on May 13, 1983 in Bouaké, he impressed with his imposing physical frame combined with refined technique and an impressive ability to score goals from medium and long range. After standing out at AS Monaco and Olympiakos, he transferred to Barcelona in 2007, where he won the Champions League in 2009 after scoring the decisive goal in the semifinal against Chelsea. At Manchester City, he became the central piece of the team that dominated English football in the 2010s, winning the Premier League in 2012 and 2014 with performances of the highest level. With the Ivorian national team, Touré led the so-called 'Golden Generation' alongside Didier Drogba. The crowning moment came at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, won at home after 23 years of waiting, in one of the greatest celebrations in African football history. With four consecutive awards as Best African Player of the Year between 2011 and 2014, Yaya Touré inscribed his name among the greatest midfielders that world football has ever produced, combining strength, technique, game vision and goal-scoring ability like few others in his position.