Sekou Fofana, the Côte d'Ivoire national football team midfielder, officially announced his retirement from international football, bringing down the curtain on a successful career with the "Elephants" national team.
Fofana (31 years old), who previously graduated from the English academy of Manchester City, confirmed this news via social media, after an international career that culminated in notable continental achievements.
The veteran midfielder announced his decision to end his international journey through a post on his personal Instagram account, yesterday evening (Monday), ending his international career after playing 34 matches and scoring 7 goals since his first appearance with the first team against Morocco in November 2017.
His last major international participation was in the 2026 World Cup, where the Ivory Coast team succeeded in qualifying for the knockout rounds of the last World Cup, which was held in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
In a touching farewell message to the fans, Fofana reviewed his most prominent achievements, which was winning the African Cup of Nations title in 2024, which was hosted by Côte d’Ivoire.
Fofana wrote on his Instagram account: “To my dear fans of Côte d’Ivoire, it is time for me to turn the page. With pride and deep gratitude, I cherish the honor of defending my country's colors. “Winning the continent’s most expensive titles was a dream I had since childhood and it came true, and these memories will remain forever engraved in the hearts of millions of Ivorians.”
Fofana added: “Thank you to my teammates, the technical and administrative staff, and to all of you for the strength and support you have provided. “I will always be the Elephants’ number one fan, and I am very much looking forward to seeing this new generation write their own history, as our country is full of promising talent.”
Fofana was born in the French capital, Paris, and represented the French national team in the youth categories until the U-18 national team, before receiving his first call-up to represent the senior national team of Côte d'Ivoire under the leadership of Belgian coach Marc Wilmots.
His career with clubs witnessed prominent stages in major leagues, including periods in the Manchester City and Fulham Academy, and playing alongside Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Al-Nasr Club.
Fofana is currently playing on loan to the Portuguese club Porto from the French club Rennes, after he effectively contributed to leading the Portuguese team to win the local league title last season.
Former German tennis player Boris Becker joined the critics of his compatriot Alexander Zverev's routine before serving, calling for changing the rules of the game to limit the time allowed before the second serve.
Becker said, while participating in presenting a “podcast” with his compatriot Andrea Petkovic: “I have only one criticism of Alexander Zverev; This constant bouncing of the ball before the second serve, please.”
He added: “We urgently need to change the rule; To determine how long the player is allowed before serving the second serve.
Zverev bounced the ball in the air up to 25 times before executing his second serve, during the US Open, which sparked criticism from his semi-final opponent, Karen Khachanov, and then from Ben Shelton, whom Zverev beat, on Sunday, to win his second Grand Slam title.
The rules stipulate that the ball must be brought into play, within 25 seconds, upon the first serve, after the referee announces the result of the point, but there is no specific time limit for the second serve.
Baker joined Shelton in calling for the rule change, saying: “I became very nervous during the commentary. "I was thinking: When will it finally start?"
Zverev equaled Becker's achievement by winning two Grand Slam titles within one year, after he also won the French Open title.
Becker praised Zverev, stressing that he performed “almost perfect” in New York, with the exception of his routine before serving, and described his victory in two Grand Slam titles as “a truly historic achievement.”
Becker was the only German player to win the US Open men's title before Zverev, and he believes that his compatriot has a "great opportunity" to follow in his footsteps and rise to the top of the world rankings.
Zverev currently ranks second in the world, after reducing the gap with Italian Jannik Sinner to 1,810 points. Sinner missed the US Open due to injury, and is facing pressure to defend a large number of points before the final tournament of the ATP season in Turin, mid-November.
Becker also rejected the criticism that underestimated the value of Zverev's achievement due to Sinner's absence from the tournament, the exit of Spanish champion Carlos Alcarras against Shelton, during his return from injury, in addition to the early exit of a number of other candidates.
“He can only beat the opponent he has to face,” Baker said. “I find that to be absolutely disgraceful and an astonishing lack of respect for its accomplishment.”
The Spanish Rodri, the Barcelona midfielder, revealed that his decision to move to the Catalan club last summer came after a difficult comparison between two of the largest clubs in the world, stressing that rejecting Real Madrid’s offer was not an easy decision, despite his conviction in the end that the Barcelona project was the most suitable for his career.
Rodri explained in an interview with the Spanish newspaper “Mundo Deportivo” that the sporting aspect was the decisive factor in his choice. He said: “We had to analyze many things and make a very important decision between two of the best clubs in the world. In the end, I made my decision based on the sporting aspect, what gives me more motivation, and where I can achieve more and grow more as a player.”
He added: “The decision was not easy at all. Saying no to Real Madrid is not an easy thing, especially since they dealt with me perfectly.”
According to what was reported by the Spanish newspaper “Marca”, the Spanish midfielder revealed that he contacted Portuguese Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid coach, after making his decision, to thank him for his interest and the way he dealt with him during the negotiations. “The interaction was very good,” Rodri said. When I made the decision, I also called him to thank him for the attention and the way he treated me. “I see him as a great coach, and he has proven that everywhere he has gone, and in the big stages of his career.”
Rodri believes that Real Madrid will be a strong competitor to Barcelona this season, adding: “Real Madrid will be a difficult competitor in the league.”
Rodri pointed out that the way Barcelona dealt with him, away from pressure and attempts at financial persuasion, had a major influence on his decision, explaining that sporting director Deco and coach Hansi Flick had an important role in completing the deal.
He said: “I liked very much the way he dealt, and did not enter into a state of anxiety or rush. What was most important to me was the spontaneity the club showed in conveying its idea to me. “I felt like it was a family club, and that attracted me a lot.”
He continued: “It was not about trying to convince me with numbers, but rather it was a sporting issue, and what they saw in my ability to provide an addition on and off the field.”
On the other hand, Rodri talked about the Ballon d'Or race, after he became one of the most prominent candidates for the award after winning the World Cup with Spain, noting that Barcelona chose to support his colleague Lamine Yamal in the race.
Rodri said, in an interview with the Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia: “Barcelona chose Lamine Yamal because it believes that he is the player who deserves it the most, and this is completely legitimate. “It is a version of the Ballon d’Or that opens the door to a large number of candidates, and there are many players who have reasons to be able to win it.”
