Football
ESPN staff 9y

Kolo Toure confirms international retirement after Ivory Coast win

Kolo Toure has confirmed his retirement from international football after helping Ivory Coast win the African Nations Cup earlier this month.

The Liverpool defender's decision had been widely expected after he indicated that it was likely to be his final tournament for his country.

In quotes reported by the BBC, 33-year-old Toure -- who made his international debut in April 2000 -- said: "I love my country, and I especially love football -- but at some point there comes a time to stop.

"It is with great emotion that I inform you that it is time to say goodbye.

"My goal was to win the Africa Cup of Nations, and I must admit that it [retiring] was a very difficult decision to make.

"Sometimes it plays on your mind, but with this incredible success you have to forget the past and enjoy the moment."

He said Caykur Rizespor's Ousmane Viera Diarrassouba would become "the new boss of the defence" for Ivory Coast, adding: "I rarely make a mistake in my choice, so Viera will perfectly replace me in the team."

Toure, who was part of the unbeaten Arsenal Premier League side of 2003-04 and also played for Manchester City, started his first Liverpool game of this season when they beat Stoke 1-0 at Anfield in late November.

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