Ivory Coast captain Serey Dié has announced his retirement from the Elephants after six years of collaboration that saw an Africa Cup of Nations success in 2015.
The 34-year-old defensive midfielder, who has played most of his professional football in Switzerland with FC Sion and Basel, made his debut for Ivory Coast against the Gambia in March 2013.
Serey Dié became a key player in the team as the Golden Generation faded out, with the departures of then captain Didier Drogba and midfield powerhouse Didier Zokora in 2014.
Dié won praise from local fans and pundits for his ‘defensive and dress room roles’ during the Elephants’ journey to the summit at the 2015 AFCON in Equatorial Guinea.
Following the retirement Yaya Toure and unavailability of Gervinho due to injuries, Dié was named captain in 2017.
“This image (photo) marks the beginning of my story with the Elephants and it is with it I’m ending my story with the national team,” Dié wrote in a statement late Friday.
“Thank you for the support and respect given to me. It is time for me to go. May God bless and be with you. I believe in you and I know the nation will enjoy each of your matches.”
Ivory Coast will return to action in November in a 2021 AFCON qualifying game against Niger in Group K.
