Omar Da Fonseca names an Ivorian legend as the best defensive midfielder of the past 20 years | OneFootball

The Argentine sports commentator in awe of Yaya Touré

Omar Da Fonseca names an Ivorian legend as the best defensive midfielder of the past 20 years

As a guest on the latest episode of SafePlay, Omar Da Fonseca didn’t hesitate for a second. The former player turned pundit named Yaya Touré as the greatest defensive midfielder of the last twenty years.

Omar Da Fonseca holds deep admiration for former FC Barcelona and Manchester City midfielder Yaya Touré. “The best defensive midfielder in history over the past 20 years is... Mr. Yaya Touré,” declared the former Argentine player during the show hosted by Nico Colombien and Adio Lala.

A bold, almost provocative statement in an era graced by the likes of Sergio Busquets, N’Golo Kanté, and Casemiro. Yet for the pundit, there seems to be no debate at all.

Yaya Touré, more than just a defensive midfielder

To label Yaya Touré simply as a “defensive midfielder” would be an understatement. Trained in Eastern Europe before making his mark at the highest level, the Ivorian left his mark on his era thanks to his exceptional versatility.

Wearing the FC Barcelona jersey, he won the Champions League in 2009, even playing as a central defender in major fixtures. But it was at Manchester City where he truly reached another dimension.

Equally adept at winning back possession, orchestrating play, surging forward, and scoring goals, Touré redefined the role of the modern midfielder. His surging runs with the ball, athletic power, and influence in big matches were pivotal to the Citizens’ rise to the top of the Premier League.