Legendary Togo National Sheyi Emmanuel Adebayor has announced his retirement from football at age 39.
Adebayor announced this in a video posted on Instagram, which included a clip of his memorable goal for City against former club Arsenal in 2009.
He previously played for English clubs Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace, as well as French side Metz, Monégasque team Monaco, Spanish team Real Madrid, Turkish clubs İstanbul Başakşehir and Kayserispor, Paraguay’s Club Olimpia and Togolese club Semassi.
The Togolese mythical footballer was voted African Footballer of the Year in 2008 ahead of Ghana’s Michael Essien in a vote that involved the national team coaches of CAF’s 54 member nations. The first time a Togolese won the award as Africa’s best player.
The video also showed footage of Adebayor draped in Togo’s national flag, as well as a message thanking his fans and expressing gratitude for his career.
He posted: “Thank you to my fans for being there every step of the way. I’m feeling so grateful for everything, and excited for what’s to come!”
Adebayor then wrote a message on a piece of paper that read: “Thanks for the blessings!!!”
View this post on Instagram