Yaya Toure: The $300,000-a-week footballer who doesn't play?

(CNN)Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure's career, both for club and country, took two very different turns Tuesday.

The $300,000-a-week star announced he was quitting international football at the same time his club coach threatened to freeze him out for the rest of the season.

Guardiola's comments came soon after four-time African player of the year Toure had announced his decision to retire from international football. Toure, who led the Ivory Coast to glory at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations and played at three World Cups, made 113 appearances for his country.

"Writing this note was probably 'the most difficult match of my life.' 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. "I would like to say solemnly that I am stopping. It's true that I had several titles at clubs, national cups, league trophies. With the Elephants, it was even more special. I learned to win for my country. That's why I will always retain the pride in having achieved four African Golden Balls for the Ivory Coast." Visit cnn.com/football for more news and features According to Forbes, Toure's boot sponsorship deal with Puma stipulates part of the endorsement income should be used to give shoes and clothing to underprivileged West Africans.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/20/football/yaya-toure-guardiola-ivory-coast-