Yaya Touré facts for kids

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Yaya Touré

Touré in 2013

Personal information

Full name

Gnégnéri Yaya Touré

Date of birth

13 May 1983 (age 42)

Place of birth

Bouaké, Ivory Coast

Height

1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)

Position(s)

Midfielder

Team information

Current team

Saudi Arabia (assistant)

Youth career

1996–2001

ASEC Mimosas

Senior career*

Years

Team

Apps

(Gls)

2001–2003

Beveren

(3)

2003–2005

Metalurh Donetsk

(3)

2005–2006

Olympiacos

(3)

2006–2007

Monaco

(5)

2007–2010

Barcelona

(4)

2010–2018

Manchester City

230

(59)

2018

Olympiacos

(0)

2019

Qingdao Huanghai

(2)

Total

470

(79)

International career

2004–2015

Ivory Coast

101

(19)

Managerial career

2021

Olimpik Donetsk (assistant)

2021

Akhmat Grozny (assistant)

2022–2023

Tottenham Hotspur (academy coach)

2023

Standard Liège (assistant)

2023–

Saudi Arabia (assistant)

Medal record

Men's football

Representing Ivory Coast
Africa Cup of Nations
Winner	2015
Runner-up	2012
Runner-up	2006

*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Gnégnéri Yaya Touré (born 13 May 1983) is a famous Ivorian football player and coach. He played as a midfielder for many top clubs. Today, he is an assistant coach for the Saudi Arabia national team.

Yaya Touré wanted to be a striker when he was young. He even played as a centre-back for Barcelona in a big final. But he mostly played as a box-to-box midfielder. Many people think he is one of the best African players ever. He won the African Footballer of the Year award four times in a row! This was in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014.

Touré started his career in Ivory Coast at ASEC Mimosas. He was only 18 when he first played. His skills caught the eye of European clubs. He played for teams like Beveren, Metalurh Donetsk, Olympiacos, and Monaco. Then, in 2007, he joined Barcelona. He played over 100 games there. He was part of the amazing Barcelona team that won six trophies in one year, back in 2009.

In 2010, Touré moved to Manchester City in England. He scored many important goals for them. He scored the only goals in the 2011 FA Cup semi-final and final. He also helped City win their first league title in 44 years. This was a huge moment for the club.

Yaya Touré played 100 games for the Ivory Coast from 2004 to 2015. He played in three FIFA World Cup tournaments. He also played in six Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. He helped his country finish second in 2006 and 2012. In 2015, he was the captain when they won the tournament! His older brother, Kolo Touré, was also a footballer. They played together for Manchester City and the national team.

Playing Career Highlights
International Football for Ivory Coast
How Yaya Touré Played
Coaching Career
Personal Life
Awards and Achievements
Images for kids
See also

Playing Career Highlights

Early Football Steps

Yaya Touré was born in Bouaké, Ivory Coast. He joined the ASEC Mimosas youth academy in 1996. A coach named Jean-Marc Guillou helped him a lot. In 2001, Guillou invested in a Belgian club called Beveren. He wanted to help Ivorian players play in Europe. Touré moved to Beveren in 2001. Many other players from ASEC also went there. By 2003, 14 Ivorians were on the Beveren team.

In 2003, Touré had a tryout with Arsenal in England. He played in a friendly match. Arsenal wanted to sign him, but he had trouble getting a work permit. So, Touré decided to join Metalurh Donetsk in Ukraine in December 2003. He played there for about a year and a half.

Time in Greece and France

Touré joined Olympiacos in Greece in 2005. His older brother said he was like "the new Patrick Vieira". Olympiacos won two trophies that season. Touré was a very important player for them. His great performances in Greece made many clubs interested in him.

In August 2006, Touré signed with Monaco in France. He had a tough start with the coach at the time. But when a new coach took over, Touré became a key player. He scored five goals and helped the team avoid being relegated. After showing his skills, he decided to join Barcelona in 2007.

Success at Barcelona

Touré with Barcelona in 2009

Touré joined Barcelona in Spain for about €10 million. He played his first official game on 26 August 2007. He scored his first goal for Barcelona on 2 September 2007. Barcelona won that game 3–1. He also played in the UEFA Champions League for Barcelona.

During the 2008–09 season, the new coach, Pep Guardiola, often chose Sergio Busquets over Touré. But in the 2009 UEFA Champions League final, Touré played as a centre-back. This was because other defenders were injured or suspended. He had only played there twice before for Barcelona. In 2010, Barcelona said Touré could leave the club.

Joining Manchester City

Winning the FA Cup

On 2 July 2010, Touré signed a five-year deal with Manchester City. The fee was about £24 million. He played his first Premier League game on 14 August. He played very well in midfield with other strong players. On 19 September, Touré scored his first goal for City. He often played in a more attacking role.

In January 2011, Touré scored his third goal for City. He ran 90 yards to score in a 4–3 win. On 16 April 2011, Touré scored the only goal in the FA Cup semi-final. This was against Manchester United. He was named the best player of that game. Touré then scored the only goal in the 2011 FA Cup final against Stoke City. This ended Manchester City's 35-year wait for a major trophy. It made him a legend at the club.

First Premier League Title

The 2011–12 season started very well for Manchester City. They were at the top of the league for most of the season. Touré was a key player in midfield. In December 2011, he set new Premier League records. He made the most passes in a single match. His great play earned him the African Footballer of the Year award for 2011. This was a big achievement for a midfielder.

As the season ended, Manchester City fell behind Manchester United. Many people thought City had lost their chance. But City won their next games. This brought them closer to United. A match against Manchester United became very important. City won that game 1–0. Touré played an amazing game.

On 6 May, Touré scored two goals in a 2–0 win against Newcastle United. This put City three points ahead of United. On the final day, City beat Queens Park Rangers 3–2. Touré helped set up the first goal. This win secured City's first league title in 44 years.

More Trophies and Awards

Touré playing for Manchester City in 2012

Touré started the 2012–13 season by scoring in the FA Community Shield. City won 3–2 against Chelsea. He also scored in two other early games. In a UEFA Champions League match against Real Madrid, Touré played brilliantly. He helped set up a goal.

On 20 December 2012, Touré won the African Player of the Year award again. This was his second time winning it. On 4 April 2013, Touré signed a new contract with City. It kept him at the club until 2017.

In the 2013–14 season, Touré scored his first goal with a free kick. City won 4–0. He scored again in a 4–1 derby win over Manchester United. Under manager Manuel Pellegrini, Touré became the vice-captain. He often led the team when the captain was away. In December 2013, he won the BBC African Footballer of the Year award.

On 2 March 2014, Touré scored for City in the 2014 Football League Cup final. City won the match 3–1. On 22 March, he scored his first ever hat-trick. This was in a 5–0 home win. Touré scored his 20th Premier League goal of the season on 7 May 2014. He became only the second midfielder to score 20 goals in a Premier League season. His great play helped City win their second Premier League title in three years.

Later Seasons and Leaving City

On 5 November 2014, Touré was sent off in a Champions League game. This was against CSKA Moscow. On 1 March 2015, he played against his brother Kolo Touré for the first time.

In August 2015, Touré scored in City's first game of the season. The new coach, Pep Guardiola, left Touré out of the Champions League squad. Touré's agent said Guardiola had "humiliated" him. Guardiola said Touré would not play until his agent apologized. After a public apology, Touré returned to the team. He scored two goals in his first game back.

On 4 May 2018, it was announced that Touré would leave Manchester City. His last game was a 3–1 win.

Later Career Teams

Touré joined Super League Greece club Olympiacos again on 2 September 2018. But his contract ended in December 2018.

On 3 July 2019, Touré joined China League One club Qingdao Huanghai. He left the club on 1 January 2020.

International Football for Ivory Coast

Touré playing for the Ivory Coast in 2012

Yaya Touré played regularly for the Ivory Coast national team. He played from his first game in 2004 until 2015. In 2014, he became the team's captain. This was after Didier Drogba retired. Touré played his 100th international game on 19 November 2014.

Touré played in all three of Ivory Coast's matches at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He also played in all three games at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He scored the first goal in a 3–0 win against North Korea. Touré played in his third and final World Cup in 2014. He was captain in their first match, a 2–1 win over Japan.

Touré played in six Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. These were in 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2015. His team finished second in 2006 and 2012. In 2015, they won the tournament! Touré was named in the best team of the tournament in 2008, 2012, and 2015. On 4 February 2015, Touré scored the first goal in the semi-final. This helped Ivory Coast reach the final. On 8 February, Touré captained his team to victory. They won their first Africa Cup of Nations title since 1992.

On 20 September 2016, Touré said he was retiring from international football. He briefly returned in March 2018. But he did not play any more games before he fully retired from playing.

How Yaya Touré Played

Yaya Touré used to be a striker. But he mostly played in the middle of the field. He could be a holding midfielder or a box-to-box midfielder. This meant he could switch between attacking and defending. Touré was a very complete and flexible midfielder. He could also play as a centre-back or in the number 10 role.

His best skills were his passing, his vision, and his strength. He was good at controlling the ball. He was also great at stopping opposing attacks. He could win the ball back with strong tackles. People called him a "human train" or a "colossus" because of his speed, stamina, and physical presence. He often ran forward late in games. He was also good at scoring goals from far away. He could score from free kicks and penalties.

One writer described Touré as a midfielder who could tackle and win the ball. He also said Touré liked to make runs forward. He was a player who could carry the ball forward. Touré had a special way of kicking the ball. It was called a "Yaya" shot. It made the ball fly in a straight line, which was hard for goalkeepers to stop.

Coaching Career

After his playing career, Yaya Touré started coaching. On 10 February 2021, he joined Ukrainian Premier League club Olimpik Donetsk as an assistant coach. He stayed there for four months.

On 14 June 2021, Touré became an assistant coach for Russian Premier League club Akhmat Grozny. He left that role in December 2021.

In August 2022, Touré became an under-16 coach at Tottenham Hotspur's academy. In June 2023, he moved to Standard Liège in Belgium as an assistant manager.

On 3 November 2023, Touré was named assistant coach of the Saudi Arabia national team. He joined the staff of his former Manchester City manager, Roberto Mancini.

Personal Life

Yaya Touré is the younger brother of Kolo Touré. Kolo was also a famous footballer. They played together for Manchester City and the Ivory Coast national team. Their younger brother, Ibrahim Touré, was also a footballer. Sadly, he passed away in 2014 at age 28. Yaya Touré is a Muslim.

In October 2013, Touré joined a campaign to protect elephants. He became a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme.

In 2016, Yaya Touré had a legal issue related to driving. He explained that he had accidentally consumed a drink that contained alcohol. He was given a driving ban and a fine.

In 2018, Yaya Touré became a British citizen.