Yaya Toure moans of 'shame of Africa' after missing out on big award

Toure led his nation to victory at the African Cup of Nations at the start of 2015, and was presumably looking forward to winning the award for a record fifth consecutive year.

Instead, he came second to Borussia Dortmund star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who recorded 143 votes to Toure's 136. (Andre Ayew of Swansea was third on 112.)

Toure was careful to praise Gabon international Aubameyang as "brilliant", but that moment of magnanimity was rather lost by the tirade which followed, in which the 32-year-old poured his heart out over the fact that his starring role in a victorious Cup of Nations campaign was deemed less important by voters than playing well in a trophyless Bundesliga season.

"I’m very, very disappointed. It’s sad to see Africa react this way, that they don't think African achievements are important," he told RFI’s Félix Sohounde Peperipe.

"I think this is what brings shame to Africa, because to act in that way is indecent.

"But what can we do about it? Us Africans, we don’t show that Africa is important in our eyes.

"We favour more what’s abroad than our own continent. That is pathetic...

Toure then suggested that he would have expected no less from the voting panel - and indeed the continent.

"Yaya will take care of Yaya and let Africa take care of itself. As I’ve been told many times, you can’t take care of Africa too much because Africa will be the first to let you down," he said.

"When I return to Europe, a lot of questions will be asked. I think I’m going to have to answer them. As I’m someone who’s honest, I will always tell the truth."

Just a little. Yaya's emotional rant at the judges somehow missed the fact that the same panel had handed him the award four in the previous four years, and ignored the fact that the results were so close. Then again, Yaya has plenty form for wearing his heart on his sleeve a little too much...