Four-time African footballer of the year Yaya Toure of the Ivory Coast announced his retirement from international football on Tuesday.

The 33-year-old Manchester City midfielder — capped 113 times — said it had been an incredibly difficult decision.

“Writing this note was probably ‘the most difficult match of my life’,” wrote Toure.

“After 14 years at the highest level, I’m sure this is the right time for me! The fact that I am 33 now, the intensity of training and the multitude of games are not the reasons why I am making this decision.