Yaya Toure has become used to defying critics ever since he left Barcelona for Manchester City four years ago.
Some felt he chose money over medals by quitting the best club side in the world for one with ambition – after being bought by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan – but much still to achieve.
And, as imperious as he has been in City’s drive for an unprecedented four trophies this season, he was labelled a “liability” last month by former player Dietmar Hamann for neglecting defensive duties.
The acquisition of Fernandinho has given Toure more licence to roam forward but that still didn’t save him from criticism from the ex-Germany international.
As Toure now faces his former club in the last 16 of the Champions League, he admitted he is happy as long as he is carrying out his manager’s instructions.
He said: “Sometimes you have to give your answer to the people with your football.
“I think for me the most important thing is what my manager tells me to do and I think that’s the best way for the team and the best way for me as well.
“It doesn’t matter who wants to continue to criticise me and talk about me. I just want to focus on the next game because always when we have lost we are the worst team and I’m the worst player, and when we’ve won I’m the best in the team.
“The most important thing is we have to move on – liability or no liability – I’ve been playing for a long time.”
Following glory with Barca in 2009, Toure, 30, wants to join a select band of players who have won the trophy with different clubs.
“I hope if I’m lucky enough to get it this year, I would love to be part of that group,” he added. “I know it’s going to be difficult, but we believe, we will never, never stop. I would love to be part of this team to win it. I hope this year or maybe next year or the third year, but we will see.
“I’m very happy with the evolution of the team. Obviously the Champions League is our top objective. We’ve been a bit unlucky to be drawn against Barcelona, but we are learning a lot under our new coach and the team is going very well. No, I don’t have anything to prove [to Barcelona].
“I won a lot of trophies with them and I think from my point of view it was the right time to move on. I couldn’t have done anything more at Barcelona.
“As soon as I moved to City I was always talking about coming here to win something. A lot of people criticised me, thinking I had come here for something else, but since 2011 I’ve won a few trophies.
“We are still in all four competitions and want to go as far as possible. I hope at the end of the season we will have won a couple of trophies.”
And, like his team, Toure does not fear Barca and Lionel Messi, the player he feels is still the best in the world.
“We’re ready,” he added. “Barcelona are a very strong team physically, tactically, the way they use the ball with Messi, Xavi, [Andres] Iniesta, they can make a difference at any time.
“But it’s important we play the first game at home and we have players who can make a difference.”
