BATA, Equatorial Guinea -- Yaya Toure responded to his critics back in England, as he celebrated his country's penalty shootout win over Ghana in the final of the African Nations Cup.
Toure, who has been unusually short with the media during the tournament in Equatorial Guinea, reacted as his country pulled off the win they had been so desperately waiting for.
The towering midfielder hit back at those who have criticised his attitude in the media.
"When I was in Manchester people were criticising me, about a lot of things", said Toure, who captains both Manchester City and his country.
"I want you to understand, sometimes when you say the truth about football, people don't listen. Especially you guys from the newspaper. You have to be objective and you have to say the true things."
"But I think my job is to try and do my best. I will sometimes get a little bit upset with some comments, from people who sit in front of the TV, and try and say like they understand football more."
The two-time Premier League champ also moved to dismiss rumours that he has retired from international football after the match, following his brother Kolo's announcement before the tournament that it would be his last for his country.
"Leaving? Retired? Me? I'm 31, my friend. No, that's my brother. When you see something, you want to repeat it. But it's difficult, when you've lost it before. But now I'm very happy, and I'm going to enjoy it with my friends."
He seemed keen to get back to England and work on Manchester City's title challenge.
"We have 38 games and if we want to achieve it [retaining the title] we have to win all the games. I know it is difficult but now I have to go back and do my duty again."