Ten facts about Yaya Toure you need to know

Yaya is the gentle giant that most of us adore; for his supreme command as a defensive midfielder and also his impulsive decisions that often win matches. Here's some trivia for you if you are an ardent Yaya fan :

1. Yaya Toure began his European career in 2001 at K.S.K. Beveren, a Belgian club that featured several African players.

2. Toure got his first pair of football shoes at the age of 10.

3. He almost joined Arsenal in 2003

4. While playing for the Belgian team, Beveren, Toure had a trial with Arsenal.

5. He is one of the few midfielders to win the African Footballer of the Year award. Before Yaya’s first African Footballer of the year award, the previous 12 awards were favoured to strikers.

6. Ibrahim Toure a professional player and the the brother of Yaya and Kolo, died due to unknown reasons on 20th of June 2014.

7. Yaya is a goodwill ambassador for the U.N. Environment Program.

8. In 2013, Toure was named African Footballer of the Year for the third consecutive time.

9. Toure has had heated arguments with the then AS Monaco manager, László Bölöni as he wouldn't play him in his preferred midfield position.

10. Toure has turned down the English tradition of champagne after his Man of the match performances as it is not in accordance with his religious beliefs.