Nationality counts against Toure
4 March 2014
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Samir Nasri believes team-mate Yaya Toure would be seen as "the best midfielder in the world" if he was Brazilian or Argentinian.
Ivory Coast international Toure has been the driving force in Manchester City's engine room since his move from Barcelona in 2010, and his wonder-strike set Manuel Pellegrini's men en route to League Cup glory against Sunderland on Sunday.
And City playmaker Nasri, who followed Toure's 55th-minute equaliser at Wembley with a sublime finish of his own 90 seconds later, feels the 30-year-old suffers in terms of gaining global recognition due to his nationality.
"If he wasn't African everyone will say he's the best midfielder in the world," the Frenchman said.
"Of course it counts against him being from Ivory Coast. If he was Argentinian or Brazilian everyone will talk about him, everyone.
"You have some Brazilians or Argentinians, I don't want to say anything wrong, but just because they are from this country you pay them £40million or £50million."
Former Arsenal man Nasri went on to hail the all-round qualities of Toure, who has 17 goals in all competitions this season.
"He can do everything," he added. "He can score goals, he can defend, he can attack.
"When he gets the ball he is so powerful. I might be a little bit biased because he's my friend, but for me he's in the top three of the best midfielders in the world.
"A guy like Yaya, he has won every trophy, he is always there. Tell me one defensive midfielder who can score 16 or 17 goals in a season.
"Tell me one and then we can talk."
TUESDAY 4 MARCH
10:02 Nasri: Nationality counts against Toure
09:50 World Cup is Del Bosque´s ´main goal´
09:48 Germany ready for World Cup challenge, says Low
09:29 Scolari: Brazil to embrace World Cup visitors
07:53 Messi will never be Maradona, says Enrique
05:11 Vidal rubbishes Real, Barca rumours
MONDAY 3 MARCH
23:31 Primeira Liga: Arouca 0 Academica 3
22:53 League Two: Chesterfield 0 Portsmouth 0
22:45 International Friendly Preview: France v Netherlands
22:10 FA needs to be more diverse, says Powar
21:42 International Friendly Preview: England v Denmark
21:04 Hignett makes Middlesbrough move
20:17 Sessegnon and Yacob back for West Brom
20:04 International Friendly Preview: Ukraine v United States
19:39 International Friendly Preview: Spain v Italy
19:38 Two-match suspension for Trasch
19:29 International Friendly Preview: Austria v Uruguay
19:09 Khedira not setting targets for return
18:58 Stoke to appeal after Adam charged by FA
18:53 Griffiths can help Scots qualify for Euros, says McGhee
18:40 De Rossi handed three-game ban
18:39 International Friendly Preview: Portugal v Cameroon
18:23 International Friendly Preview: Morocco v Gabon
18:04 Iran, Kuwait play out thriller
18:03 Wenger confirms Griezmann interest
17:55 Martinez keen to make loan deals permanent
17:27 Ginter ´honoured´ by United links
17:08 Pardew charged with improper conduct
17:03 Lallana keen to impress Hodgson
16:50 FA inconsistent on racism, says campaigner
16:38 Olaitan recovering well after collapse
16:37 International Friendly Preview: Colombia v Tunisia
16:23 Di Francesco back at Sassuolo after Malesani sacking
16:07 Allardyce: Hodgson ´can´t ignore´ Carroll
15:39 International Friendly Preview: Romania v Argentina
15:39 Low has fears of Germany injuries and form
14:49 International Friendly Preview: Turkey v Sweden
14:46 International Friendly Preview: Poland v Scotland
14:11 Rutten to replace Koeman at Feyenoord
13:47 Borini targets Wembley return
13:47 Korb pens new Monchengladbach deal
13:34 Feyenoord strip Pelle of captaincy
13:22 International Friendly Preview: Montenegro v Ghana
12:56 Veh to depart Frankfurt
12:19 International Friendly Preview: South Africa v Brazil
12:18 International Friendly Preview: Germany v Chile
12:15 International Friendly Preview: Wales v Iceland
12:12 International Friendly Preview: Republic of Ireland v Serbia
11:56 Ramos praises ´aggressive´ second-half showing
11:56 Monk urges Wales caution over Williams illness
11:40 International Friendly Preview: Cyprus v Northern Ireland
11:33 Alexis thrilled to capitalise on Madrid derby result
11:26 Murray goals can help Palace beat the drop, says Pulis
11:24 Hughton confident Norwich will bounce back
11:19 Yeung verdict to have ´no impact´ on Birmingham City
11:08 Sherwood backs ´patient´ Kane
11:03 Tevez revels in ´important´ Juve victory
10:43 Montolivo takes positives from Milan setback
10:24 Kompany: City taking ´one thing at a time´
10:11 Cavani thrilled with goalscoring return
09:48 Solskjaer reveals Tan team talk
06:47 Lille win a ´miracle´, says Girard
06:32 Costa Rica Primera Division Wrap: Saprissa close in on Herediano
06:12 Garde laments lack of luck
06:06 Colombia Primera A Wrap: Goalkeeper Delgado scores winner for Millonarios
05:14 Chile Primera Division Wrap: Leaders win, O´Higgins stunned
04:50 Argentina Primera Division Wrap: Zarate stars for Velez
04:05 Liga MX Wrap: Cruz Azul win again
03:35 Reja pleased with much-needed win
03:25 Venezuela Primera Division Wrap: Mineros bounce back
03:05 Uruguay Primera Division Wrap: Fenix move clear
02:23 Paraguay Division Profesional Wrap: Libertad go top
02:10 Barca assistant: Title ´depends on us´
01:35 Conte hails Tevez, Llorente
01:22 De Rossi left out of Italy squad
00:46 Serie A Wrap: Strike duo keep leaders Juve in charge
00:21 CAF Champions League Wrap: Setif and Leopards put one foot in next round
00:21 Guilavogui replaces injured Mavuba in France squad
00:10 Seedorf positive despite Juve loss
00:07 Busquets: Barca can be better
00:00 Title race not over, says Blanc
SUNDAY 2 MARCH
23:58 La Liga Wrap: Honours even in Madrid derby as Barca close gap
23:48 Juve rode luck at San Siro, admits Buffon
23:42 Primeira Liga Wrap: Porto suffer another setback
23:29 Ligue 1 Wrap: PSG secure ´Classique´ double
23:29 CAF Confederation Cup Wrap: ASEC Mimosas make ideal start, Medeama beat Maghreb Fes
23:23 Super Lig: Emre spot on as Fenerbahce stretch lead
23:02 Ligue 1: Paris Saint-Germain 2 Marseille 0
23:02 La Liga: Barcelona 4 Almeria 1
22:46 Serie A: Milan 0 Juventus 2
22:30 Bundesliga Wrap: Wolfsburg hit for six, Frankfurt pull away from drop
22:21 Walker and Eriksen to miss international friendly
22:15 Hughton bemoans Villa ´body-blow´
22:15 Benitez slams Napoli after Livorno draw
21:54 Hanley out of Scotland clash
21:42 Sherwood hails Soldado
21:29 Legia clash abandoned
21:28 Monk criticises ´bizarre´ penalty decision
21:19 Lambert delighted by ´blistering´ Villa
20:51 Simeone: Title chances ´still alive´
20:45 Pulis to fine Thomas, Chamakh for diving
20:43 Ancelotti critical of ´violent´ Atletico
20:33 Solskjaer buoyed by improved Cardiff showing
20:31 Vlaar eager to build on Norwich rout
20:22 Serie A: Livorno 1 Napoli 1
20:06 Eredivisie Wrap: Ajax triumph in Der Klassieker, Utrecht hold Twente
19:33 Premier League: Swansea City 1 Crystal Palace 1
19:24 Premier League: Tottenham 1 Cardiff City 0
19:22 Premier League: Aston Villa 4 Norwich City 1
19:01 Hangeland released from hospital
18:58 La Liga: Atletico Madrid 2 Real Madrid 2
18:46 League One: Coventry City 0 Shrewsbury Town 0
18:24 Poyet takes pride from Wembley defeat
18:06 Pellegrini: City ´must win trophies´
17:36 Nasri thrilled to end Wembley hoodoo
17:14 Van der Vaart added to Dutch squad
16:56 League Cup: Manchester City 3 Sunderland 1
14:49 Ranieri concedes defeat in Ligue 1 title race
14:09 Pochettino backs Liverpool for title
14:08 LMA chief brands Pardew actions ´insupportable´
13:28 Hofmann: Dortmund made a statement
13:20 Wenger worried by Stoke defeat
13:16 Juve move would be a ´step back´, claims Verratti
12:53 Mazzarri pleased with Inter progress
12:23 Hughes perplexed by Stoke´s inconsistency
12:00 Sorry Schalke showing leaves Keller seething
11:45 J.League Wrap: Sagan Tosu punish Tokushima Vortis, Ventforet Kofu struggle at home
11:43 Khedira boost for Real Madrid, Germany
11:14 Mourinho backs Magath to save Fulham
09:54 A-League: Western Sydney Wanderers 0 Newcastle Jets 2
08:57 Magath hopeful over Hangeland fitness
03:38 International Friendly Preview: Costa Rica v Paraguay
03:19 International Friendly Preview: Japan v New Zealand
02:21 Penalty-less season infuriates Mazzarri
02:02 La Liga Wrap: Levante extend unbeaten run, Elche steal late win over Celta
01:47 Ecuador Primera A Wrap: LDU Quito break stalemate streak, Catolica beat Manta
00:18 Campbell: Skin colour cost me England captaincy
00:08 Primeira Liga Wrap: Sporting Lisbon stage another comeback, Estoril crush Olhanense
00:01 Garcia insists Serie A title race not over
