Yaya Toure is apparently not taking the news that he was voted as runner-up in the African Player of the Year awards too well.
According to reports, the midfielder has reacted angrily to missing out on a historic fifth win in a row – with the accolade going instead to Borussia Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Despite admitting that the newly-crowned Aubameyang was “brilliant”, Toure appeared to suggest that his role in guiding Ivory Coast to victory in the African Cup of nations had been overlooked when he spoke to a French radio station.
L’Equipe report that told RFI afterwards: “I’m very, very disappointed. It’s sad to see Africa react this way, that they don’t think African achievements are important.
“I think this is what brings shame to Africa, because to act in that way is indecent. But what can we do about it? Us Africans, we don’t show that Africa is important in our eyes. We favour more what’s abroad than our own continent. That is pathetic.
“As I’ve been told many times, you can’t take care of Africa too much because Africa will be the first to let you down.”
We’re not quite sure why he’s so upset. It’s not like anyone’s forgotten his birthday.
